First Signs of Skin Cancer
Looking at statistics on skin cancer,in North and South America, the earliest reported cases of melanoma date to pre-Columbian times.
However, the disease was and is rare among native people. With the increased immigration of sun-sensitive Europeans, such as those of Celtic ancestry brought a rise in the incidence of individuals experiencing the first signs of skin cancer. The lifetime risk of developing melanoma for a Caucasian in the United States is about 1 in 90. Causes It is generally thought that most cancers begin from a single cell. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of a certain type of cell. Cells are the basic unit of life; the smallest component of the body that can independently reproduce itself. A variety of biological events such as ultraviolet radiation can initiate damage resulting in developing the first signs of skin cancer. Another name for a cancer cell is a malignant cell. A tumor is a disordered growth of cells that form a nodule or lump. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancer). Metastasis is the process where a cancer cell leaves its primary site and begins to grow in a different part of the body. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is responsible for sun-induced damage to the skin. Most skin cancers are the result of damage to the genetic information contained in the nucleus of a cell, primarily caused by the sun's UV rays.
First Signs of Skin Cancer If you have moles, which is fairly common, check your skin regularly for any changes. In many cases, dysplastic moles serve as a marker to identify individuals who have an increased risk of melanoma somewhere else on the skin. Visit your physician immediately if you see any of the suspicious mole changes listed below. Most basal cell carcinomas appear as a reddened, raised lesion that is round or oval shaped. These remain at the basal layer and are the most commonly occurring cancer in the U.S. BCCs take on a pearly sheen when a light is shined directly on them. They often have dilated blood vessels that appear as a small area of bleeding. A lesion called actinic keratosis is widely believed to represent pre-malignant lesions that ultimately turn into cancer. The lesions are induced by the sun's UV rays. It typically appears as a small scaling sore on a sun exposed part of the body. AKs can easily be overlooked as first signs of skin cancer but as time progresses, as the skin does not heal, it becomes more noticeable. Suspicious Mole Changes * Change in the shape of a mole from symmetrical to asymmetrical where one half is shaped differently than the other. * An irregular border with edges that is jagged, blurred, or notched. * An uneven color or color that changes over time * A diameter of over a quarter of an inch. * A change in the mole's consistency such as hardening or softening. * Any obvious change to the mole's surface like scaling, crusting, or bleeding can be first signs of skin cancer. * Pain, soreness, or skin cancer itch. * Skin surrounding the mole becomes reddened.
Prevention Although there are some factors that can pre-dispose a person to skin cancer such as being fair-skinned, the first signs of skin cancer can be prevented by limiting your exposure to sunshine. Studies show that children with freckles are especially in need of sunscreen, which provides a protective barrier from harmful UV rays. Go to Signs-of-Skin-Cancer from First Signs of Skin Cancer |
