What Is The Leading Cause Of Skin Cancer – Skin cancer occurs when something changes the way your skin cells develop, such as exposure to ultraviolet light. Symptoms include new bumps or patches on your skin, or changes in the size, shape or color of skin growths. Most skin cancers can be treated if they are caught early. Treatments include Mohs surgery, cryotherapy, chemotherapy and radiation.
Skin cancer is a disease that involves the growth of abnormal cells in your skin tissue. Normally, when skin cells get old and die, new cells are formed to replace them. When this process doesn’t work as it should — such as after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun — cells grow faster. These cells may not be cancerous (benign), which do not spread or cause harm. Or they might be cancer.
What Is The Leading Cause Of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can spread to nearby tissues or other areas of your body if it’s not caught early. Fortunately, if skin cancer is identified and treated at an early stage, most are curable. So, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you think you have any signs of skin cancer.
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Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. In fact, about 1 in 5 people develop skin cancer at some point in their lives.
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The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change in your skin – usually a new growth or a change in an existing growth or mole. Symptoms of skin cancer include:
Skin cancer looks different depending on the type of skin cancer you have. Thinking about the ABCDE rule tells you the signs to look out for:
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If you are concerned about a mole or other skin lesion, make an appointment and show it to your healthcare provider. They will examine your skin and may ask you to see a dermatologist and evaluate the lesions further.
The main cause of skin cancer is excessive exposure to sunlight, especially when you have sunburns and blisters. UV rays from the sun damage the DNA in your skin, causing abnormal cells to form. These abnormal cells divide rapidly in an irregular manner, forming a mass of cancerous cells.
Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of race or gender. But some groups get more than others. Before the age of 50, skin cancer is more common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). However, after 50 years, it is more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). And it’s about 30 times more common in non-Hispanic whites than in non-Hispanic blacks or people of Asian/Pacific Island descent. Unfortunately, skin cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage for people with darker skin tones. This makes it more difficult to treat.
First, the dermatologist may ask you if you’ve noticed changes in any moles, freckles or other skin spots, or if you’ve noticed any new skin growths. Next, they will check all of your skin, including your scalp, ears, palms of your hands, soles of your feet, between your toes, around your genitals and between your buttocks.
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If your provider suspects skin cancer, they may perform a biopsy. In a biopsy, a sample of tissue is removed and sent to a laboratory where a pathologist examines it under a microscope. Your dermatologist will tell you if your skin lesion is skin cancer, what type you have and discuss treatment options.
The cancer stage tells you how much cancer is in your body. Skin cancer stages range from stage 0 to stage IV. In general, the higher the number, the more the cancer has spread and the harder it is to treat. But the stages for melanoma are different from non-melanoma skin cancers that start in your basal or squamous cells.
Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. Sometimes, a biopsy alone can remove all the cancerous tissue if it is small and confined to the surface of your skin. Other common skin cancer treatments, used alone or in combination, include:
The side effects of skin cancer treatment depend on which treatment your healthcare provider thinks is best for you. Chemotherapy for skin cancer can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hair loss. Other side effects or complications of skin cancer treatment include:
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In most cases, skin cancer is preventable. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid too much sunlight and sunburn. UV rays from the sun damage your skin, and over time, this can lead to skin cancer.
Almost all skin cancers are curable if they are treated before they have a chance to spread. The earlier skin cancer is found and removed, the better your chances of a full recovery. It’s important to keep following up with your dermatologist to make sure the cancer doesn’t come back. If something goes wrong, call your doctor right away.
Your provider will examine your skin, take a biopsy (if necessary), make a diagnosis and discuss treatment. Also, see a dermatologist every year for a full skin check.
You may wonder how a cancer on the surface of your skin can become a life-threatening cancer. It seems logical to think that you can simply scrape away the skin with cancer cells or remove a cancerous skin lesion with a small skin incision and that’s all it takes. This technique is successfully used if cancer is detected early.
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But if skin cancer isn’t caught early, something “just on the skin” can grow and spread beyond the immediate area. Cancer cells can break off and travel through your bloodstream or lymphatic system. They can settle in other areas of your body and begin to grow and develop into new tumors. This travel and spread is called metastasis.
The type of cancer cell in which the cancer first starts – called the primary cancer – determines the type of cancer. For example, if malignant melanoma metastasizes to your lungs, the cancer will still be called malignant melanoma. This is how superficial skin cancer can turn into life-threatening cancer.
Scientists don’t fully understand why people with darker skin tones get cancer in areas that aren’t exposed to the sun like your palms and soles. They think that the sun is less of a factor, though. However, dermatologists still see many UV-induced melanomas and squamous cell skin cancers in people with fair to very dark skin tones.
Most moles are not cancerous. Some moles are present at birth. Others develop until about age 40. Most adults have between 10 and 40 moles.
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In rare cases, moles can turn into melanoma. If you have more than 50 moles, you have a higher chance of developing melanoma.
Skin cancer can happen to anyone. What looks like an innocent cosmetic imperfection may not be. Performing regular skin self-examinations is important for everyone. But it’s especially important if you have an increased risk of skin cancer.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. And it needs the same attention as any other health concern. Check your skin every month for any changes in skin spots or any new skin growth. Take steps to protect your skin from the sun. And don’t forget to schedule regular skin exams with your dermatologist. Nodular melanoma is a type of skin cancer. They are firm, raised, discolored growths on your skin that may look like blood blisters. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light is the main cause of nodular melanoma. It exists in four levels.
Nodular melanoma is a type of melanoma. It is a type of skin cancer that grows very quickly, usually growing rapidly over several weeks or months. They grow above and below your skin (vertically), but most cancers are below the surface, like an iceberg.
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Anyone can develop nodular melanoma. However, you are more likely to have it if you are male or male assigned at birth (AMAB) and are over 50.
Nodular melanoma is the second most common type of melanoma. About 15% to 20% of all melanoma diagnoses are nodular melanomas. It causes about 50% of all melanoma-related deaths.
Nodular melanoma can develop anywhere on your body. However, it usually grows in places that are most exposed to sunlight, including you:
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Nodular melanomas are usually larger than any moles you may have on your skin. They are usually larger than 1 centimeter in diameter, which is about the length of a staple, and taller than 6 millimeters, which is about the height of 60 sheets of paper.
Blood blisters form after something pinches your skin. Blood rushes to the area from broken blood vessels and damage to the underlying layer of your skin. Blood collects and forms blisters, which may appear brown, red, black or the same color as your skin.
Yes, nodular melanomas may bleed if you poke, scratch or squeeze them. It may also bleed without agitation.
Your skin contains melanocytes (pronounced “mel-ann-o-sites”). Melanocytes produce melanin, which gives the color (pigment) in your skin. UV exposure from the sun (solar) or tanning beds can
Melanoma ‘no Longer The Leading Cause Of Skin Cancer…
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