Skin cancer definition, attacked places, causes, symptoms, risk factors, prevention, cures

 

Definition

Skin cancer is such a kind of cancer which grows up on skin on those places which are exposed sun. But also can occur in those places which are not exposed to sun.

Where skin cancer attacks

The primary places where skin cancer develops are: ears, chest, arms, scalp, face, hands, lips, neck. But it also develops in the leg of women. It can also grow where sun rays doesn’t reach. Such as: Palms, vaginal area, under fingernails and toenails. Skin cancer can attack people of any color. But it usually appears in those areas which are not getting sun rays directly.

Causes

The skin cancer occurs when there is an error in the DNA of skin cells. Due to this error the cells get out of control and make a cancer cell. When skin cancer is occurred, first of all it attacks the first layer of skin which is called epidermis. It acts like a cover of your body. When your body cells receive UV ray, which is found in sun rays and tanning bed, they are damaged. Skin cancers that appear on skin that is not typically exposed to sunlight cannot be addressed by sun exposure. Some other condition are also responsible for skin cancer: having a condition which makes your immune system weak and being exposed to poisonous matters.

Symptoms

Basal cell carcinoma:

• An iridescent or waxy bump 
• A scar-like lesion that is flat, flesh-colored or brown
• A recurring wound that is bleeding or scabbing

Squamous cell carcinoma:

• A solid, rosy nodule 
• A flat, crusty lesion with scaly edges

Melanoma:

• A sizable area of brown with darker speckles 
• A mole that bleeds, varies in size, texture, or color 
• A little lesion that has an erratic border with spots that are red, pink, white, blue, or blue-black 
• A burning or itching sore that hurts 
• Dark lesions on the mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina, or anus, as well as on your palms, soles of your feet, fingers, or toes

Merkel cell carcinoma:

• Rapid and painless tumor on your skin 
• The tumor may appear in skin color or may red, blue and purple shaded 
• This may appear on your skin, head or neck. But it can also develop anywhere else of your body

Kaposi sarcoma:

• Flat and painless pimple like spots which may be bluish, brownish, and black and on light skin it appears in red or purple color 
• Lesions inside your throat and mouth 
• When it hinders a fluid flow in your body, your body may seem swelling 
• Breathe shortness and serious coughing when it attacks in your lungs

Sebaceous gland carcinoma:

• A firm, round, painless lump in the shape of a pimple is present
• A wound that bleeds, doesn't heal, or gets better only to recur
• Crusty, thick, yellow or red skin next to your eyelashes
• Decrease in eyelashes
  
• On both your upper and lower eyelids, oozing growths
• Eyes that are reddish and resemble pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Vision issues.

Risk factors

Any person can be affected by skin cancer. But most often people of the following characteristics remain at higher risk of skin cancer

• Familial history
• Personal history 
• Green and blue eyes 
• Skin that becomes painful in the sun 
• Older age 
• Skin that is burnt, becomes red quickly 
• Hair that is blond or red 
• People who have got a radiation therapy 
• Particular substances like Arsenic may increase the risk for skin cancer 
• Tanning increase your risk 
• People who live in the areas where sun light is high 
• Having skin lesions 
• Low immune systems’ people

Prevention

Using a sunscreen can stop skin cancer. It doesn’t prevent all UV rays though it plays a great role. Use sunscreen on all exposed areas of your body. You have to try to avoid sun which appears in the middle of the day. Because in this time, it gives its’ strongest light. You may think that cloud is preventing you. But not, clouds can prevent a little bit of sun rays. So, try to schedule your middle day outdoor work for another time of the day. Avoid tanning beds as it spreads UV radiating, which increase your risk for skin cancer. Some drugs and antibiotic increase your body sensitivity to sun. When your doctor is prescribing a medicine, don’t forget to ask him the side effects of that medicine. You can also put on some sun ray protective clothes, which cover your arm, legs and other organs which are exposed to sun rays.

Cures

Surgery is the primary treatment for skin cancer. Anti-cancer creams, radio therapy, freezing (also known as cryotherapy) and psychodynamic therapy. The treatment relies on the place of the cancer, size and type of the cancer. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) doesn’t spread to your whole body whereas Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has a possibility of only 5% to spread to your body. But don’t tension. Most of the cancers are curried if they are treated in the right time.