What causes skin cancer?

 

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. To lower your risk of getting skin cancer, you can protect your skin from UV rays from the sun and from artificial sources like tanning beds and sunlamps. Most skin cancers start in the top layer of skin, called the epidermis. There are 3 main types of cells in this layer: Squamous cells: These are flat cells in the upper (outer) part of the epidermis, which are constantly shed as new ones form. Tanning beds are often promoted as a safer and faster alternative to long hours laying out in the sun. However, ultraviolet light, regardless of whether it is from the sun or an indoor treatment, are equally dangerous. Regardless of whether you have any of the risk factors listed above, reducing your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can help keep your skin healthy and lower your chances of getting skin cancer in the future.

 Most people get at least some UV exposure from the sun when they spend time outdoors. Making sun protection an everyday habit will help you to enjoy the outdoors safely, avoid getting a sunburn, and lower your skin cancer risk. People with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. Risk factors vary for different types of skin cancer. A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in a mole. Not all skin cancers look the same. Report any unusual moles or changes in your skin to your doctor. Also talk to your doctor if you are at increased risk of skin cancer. For example, certain types of skin cancer can be diagnosed initially just by visual inspection — though a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. But other cancers can form and grow undetected for 10 years or more , as one study found, making diagnosis and treatment that much more difficult.

Melanoma can go away on its own. Melanoma on the skin can spontaneously regress, or begin to, without any treatment. That's because the body's immune system is able launch an assault on the disease that's strong enough to spur its retreat Surgery is the primary treatment for most skin cancers. For patients with basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas, a dermatologist or other qualified doctor may perform an outpatient procedure using a local anesthetic