What Causes Skin Cancer

There can be different ways to what causes skin cancer.Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer as well as one of the most preventable cancers. What causes skin cancer in the majority of cases is overexposure to the sun. Skin cancer can be easily prevented by changing the habits that increase your risk of developing this disease. Enjoying family fun in the sun calls for protection from its harmful rays!

Causes

You may be surprised to learn that the most dangerous exposure to the sun occurs during childhood. Children that are subjected to heavy sun exposure have an increased risk of melanoma, which is the most serious and potentially life-threatening form of skin cancer.

The problem that most parents are not aware of is that a child's sunburn today can turn into skin cancer decades from now. Melanoma causes 75 percent of deaths from skin cancer. Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor that contains dark pigment and develops from a melanin-producing cell.

What really Cause Skin Cancer

Everyone is at risk, regardless of race or ethnicity. Although, people with fair to light skin complexion stand a greater risk. Others who should be ever watchful of skin cancer signs include:

* People with a family history of skin cancer.

* Those that have experienced long-term sun exposure at an early age.

* Persons with a large number of moles and freckles, which are indicators of skin damage and sun sensitive skin.

* People with a weakened immune system due to medication or disease.

Signs

* 80% of skin cancers are on the head and neck.

* The average age skin cancer is discovered is 50.

What Causes Skin Cancer TreatmentDetecting skin cancer early makes being cured more likely. Make a point to get annual check ups so you can be examined by the doctor for skin changes. There are different kinds of treatments for sufferers of nonmelanoma skin cancer including: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

The treatment options available after a diagnosis of melanoma depend on the following factors:

* The stage of progression in the skin cancer

* Size and location of the tumor

* Patient's overall health

Preventions of What Causes Skin Cancer

Children need to be taught from an early age to develop healthy sun exposure habits that will help them avoid the development of deadly skin cancer later in life. In fact, 50 to 80 percent of your lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18. What most people do not realize is that it typically takes skin cancer 40 years to show up.

The following are some preventative steps to take in avoiding what causes skin cancer:

* Keep in mind that dangerous sunburns can happen even on cloudy days.

* Seek shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter.

* Perform monthly self-exams of your skin including your back.

* Cover up with protective clothing when you or your children are going to be exposed to the sun for long periods by wearing lightweight, long sleeved shirts and pants.

* Wear a hat to protect your face, ears, neck, and scalp.

* When outdoors even in the shade, apply sunscreen with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and UVA/UVB protection.

* Avoid sunlamps and tanning salons.

* Wear sunglasses that block Ultraviolet rays, which can lead to cataracts.

* In the summertime, even on cloudy days, the sun should be avoided between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This is when the sun's UV rays are the strongest, which is behind what causes skin cancer.

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