Skin cancers comprising basal cell carcinoma, carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell generally start as modifications to your skin. They can be precancerous lesions or new growths that are not cancer but there are chances that they would turn to cancer with time. Approximate 40 %- 50 % of fair-skinned people at the age of 65 will create at least one skin cancer. Learn to mark the prior warning signs. Skin cancer can be cured if it's found and treated untimely.
Skin cancer — the unusual growth of skin cells — generally develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also happen on areas of your skin not usually exposed to sunlight.
There are three major kinds of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
According to the reports, the occurrence of skin cancer in India is less than 1% of all cancers.
According to the study, the occurrence of skin cancers is found to be 3.18% of all the cancer patients registered over one year at our center.
You should avoid or limit exposure to ultraviolet(UV) radiation and this would reduce the risk of skin cancer. You should check your skin for doubtful changes and this would help detect skin cancer in its early stages. By detecting skin cancer in its early stage will give you the huge chance for successful skin cancer treatment.
Skin cancers start basically on areas of sun-exposed skin comprising the face, neck, chest, lips, ears, arms, and hands, and on the legs in women. It can also happen on areas that hardly ever see the light of day- your genital area, your palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails.
Skin cancer affects even with darker complexions. In short, it affects people of all skin tones.
When melanoma happens in people with dark skin tones, it's more probable to take place in areas not frequently exposed to the sun, like the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Causes of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer occurs when mistakes (mutations) happen in the DNA of skin cells. The mutations cause the cells to raise out of control and develop a mass of cancer cells. Cells involved in skin cancer start in your skin's top layer — the epidermis. The epidermis is a thin layer that gives a shielding cover of skin cells that your body repeatedly sheds.
The epidermis contains three main kinds of cells:
- Squamous cells lie just underneath the outer surface and work as the skin's inner lining.
- Basal cells, which create new skin cells, sit beneath the squamous cells.
- Melanocytes — which generate melanin, the pigment that gives skin its usual color — are placed in the lower part of your epidermis. Melanocytes create more melanin when you're in the sun to help defend the deeper layers of your skin.
Ultraviolet light and other potential causes for Skin Cancer
Much of the harm to DNA in skin cells outcomes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight and the lights utilized in tanning beds. But sun exposure doesn't clarify skin cancers that develop on skin not normally exposed to sunlight. This shows that other factors may supply to your risk of skin cancer, such as being exposed to deadly substances or having a state that weakens your immune system.
Risk factors
Factors that may boost your risk of skin cancer comprise:
- Fair skin. Anyone, despite skin color, can get skin cancer. However, having less pigment (melanin) in your skin gives less protection from damaging UV radiation. If you have blond or red hair and light-colored eyes, and you freckle or sunburn effortlessly, you're much more probable to increase skin cancer than is a person with darker skin.
- Excessive sun exposure. Anyone who spends major time in the sun may increase skin cancer, particularly if the skin isn't protected by sunscreen or clothing. Tanning, counting exposure to tanning lamps and beds, also puts you in danger. A tan is your skin's injury comeback to extreme UV radiation.
- Sunny or high-altitude climates. People who reside in sunny, warm climates are exposed to more sunlight than are people who reside in colder climates. Living at superior elevations, where the sunlight is strongest, also exposes you to more emissions.
- Moles. People who have many moles or irregular moles known as dysplastic nevi are at increased risk of skin cancer. These irregular moles — which look uneven and are generally larger than normal moles — are more probable than others to become cancerous.
- Precancerous skin lesions. These precancerous skin growths normally emerge as rough, scaly patches that vary in color from brown to dark pink.
- After squamous cell cancer of the skin has been analyzed, tests are done to discover out if cancer cells have multiplied within the skin or to further parts of the body.
- There are three types that cancer spreads in the body.
- Cancer may multiply from where it began to other parts of the body.
- Staging for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma of the skin is based on where cancer developed.
- The subsequent stages are used for carcinoma squamous cell and carcinoma basal cell and of the skin that is on the head or neck but not on the eyelid:
o Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ)
o Stage I
o Stage II
o Stage III
o Stage IV
- The following stages are utilized for carcinoma basal cell and carcinoma squamous cell for the skin on the eyelid:
o Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ)
o Stage I
o Stage II
o Stage III
o Stage IV
· Treatment relies on the type of skin cancer or other skin condition diagnosed:
o Basal cell carcinoma
o Squamous cell carcinoma
o Actinic keratosis
Treating skin cancer
The kinds of skin cancer are predicted in the early stages and are treated by eliminating the lesion. This can be done in various types:
Cryosurgery: Liquid nitrogen is useful for your growth to freeze it. The growth then decays off or shrinks without any slits. This method is generally utilized to treat actinic keratosis.
Curettage: Your growth is scraped off through an instrument called a curette.
Creams: Your doctor may recommend topical preparations like imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) and 5-fluorouracil (Carac). You utilize these creams for various weeks to eradicate actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinomas.
Excisional surgery: Your growth and the nearby skin that looks healthy are eliminated with a scalpel. The healthy skin is then tested for confirmation of skin cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, the method is repeated.
Preventing skin cancer
You can lessen your risk of developing skin cancer with these prevention tips:
If you’re sweating or doing a lot of swimming, apply your sunscreen every two hours again.Utilize a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF daily. Apply it on the skin 15 to 30 minutes before going out.
Conduct a self-examination of your skin at least once a month.
Evade the sun between peak sun hours, which are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are out, wear sunglasses, hats, and light clothing that will wrap your skin.
Consult your doctor for an annual examination of your skin.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20377605
https://www.cancer.gov/types/skin/patient/skin-treatment-pdq
https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-cancer/symptoms