Become More Aware: Skin Cancer Today

There are two types of skin cancer that originate in the skin, basal cell and squamous cell.

Several things can contribute to or cause skin cancer in people. Famous for causing skin cancer nowadays is sun exposure. Both the amount of exposure to the sun mounted up over the years and the number of times you have been sunburned contribute to increasing your risk for skin cancer. Fair skinned people and people with northern European ancestors are at heightened risk as well as people who have had a history of skin cancer in your family. With reduction in the ozone layer in the earth's atmosphere, we have less protection from the sun's UV rays than we used to have also. There is in particular an ozone hole in the southern hemisphere and the rays of the sun are also stronger near the equator or at higher altitudes. Tanning does not protect you from skin cancer.

Protecting yourself from UV rays includes avoiding the sun during 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M., using a sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or more and reapplying it every two hours and wearing clothing that covers your body and head gear that shades or covers your face. The UV Forecast is usually included in the weather forecast from your local television station, to help you determine your daily risk in being outdoors. There is also a gadget you can buy that is an inexpensive credit card sized device that measures UV light. This UV card costs about five dollars and you can also test your sunscreen's strength or sunglass strength with the card. You can find it on the Internet if you can't find it anywhere else.

Skin Cancer most commonly starts as a change on the skin that won't heal, like a growth or a sore. You might find a small lump that is smooth, shiny or waxy looking, or red to reddish brown. Also it might appear as a flat red spot that is scaly or rough. Changes in your skin should be checked by your doctor.

Melanoma is the most dreaded kind of skin cancer. It originates in the cells of the skin that give it its color. Melanoma can spread quickly to other body parts through the lymph system or the blood. Moles that change in size or become itchy, tender, swollen, hard or lumpy should be seen by a doctor. Also, if a mole you've had begins to ooze or bleed. Women get melanoma most often on their arms or legs while men are most likely to get melanoma on the trunk of their body or on their head and neck.

Your doctor will cut a piece from the skin growth and have it examined for malignancy in the lab of a hospital, (or his office) if he determines a suspicious growth on your skin. It is best to report to your doctor promptly upon discovering anything funny or different on your skin, so he can have this biopsy performed for you if necessary.

Many organizations or foundations dealing in medicine as well as civic groups, distribute information on skin cancer. There is also plenty of information on skin cancer at any cancer center. The various types, with pictures and warning symptoms are described for you in detail at most of these places. Other places to look these days include online as well. If you feel you want to find out more, visit the VideoJug website and watch their films on Skin Cancer presented by experts in the field.