Skin cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the US. About1 million new skin cancer cases occur every year. Actually there are 3 skin cancer forms: melanoma, basal cell cancer, and squamous cell cancer. Melanoma is less spread than squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer.
Melanoma is formed in the skin cells which produce pigment (melanocytes) and basal cell cancer is formed in the basal cells which are round small cells found in the base of outer skin layer. And quamous cell cancer is generally formed in flat cells forming the skin surface (squamous cells). Melanoma is the most hazard form of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is a disease when malignant cells appear in the outer skin layers. Individuals with light colour skin who spend long time exposed to the sunlight are more predisposed to skin cancer. Besides skin cancer is able to penetrate wherever in the organism. Most often it appears in your neck, face, hands, arms because these very areas are mostly exposed to the sunlight.
One of the most classic warning signals of skin cancer is any change in the skin appearance. This may be an unusual growth , a sore which does not heal for long. You can’t eliminate the risk of developing this disorder, but you can surely lower the possibility of getting skin cancer if you avoid smokoing and decrease the time you spend in the sun particularly from 9am till 4pm. Anytime you go outside, you are strongly advised to wear protective clothing as well as a sunscreen to protect yourself from the radiation (UVA/UVB).
Check with the doctor if you notice any strange markings on the skin or some other changes in the skin appearance. If skin cancer is detected in early stages an oncologist can provide you with some treatment which is very useful in preventing the cells of skin cancer from spreading into other body organs and tissues.