Skin Cancer
What?
Skin cancer is cancers that arise from the layers of the skin, caused by excessive and uncontrolled growth of cells. It has more than one type. Cancers arising from melanocyte simulated cells that give the skin its color are called “Malignant melanoma”. Cancers arising from basal cells are basal cell carcinomas. Cancers arising from squamous cells in the outer layer of the skin are squamous cell carcinomas. There are also skin cancers caused by neuroendocrine cells that respond to stimuli from the nervous system by producing hormones. Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer. Skin cancers account for about half of all cancer cases.
Why is that?
Skin cancers occur in older ages, in areas exposed to sunlight or in people with a weakened immune system. Skin color and exposure to sunlight increase the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis. Risk factors for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are; Natural or artificial excessive sunlight exposure, blond, blue or green eyes, freckles, burns or scars on the skin, arsenic exposure, chronic skin infections or skin ulcers, radiotherapy, immunosuppressive drugs.
Possible Symptoms:
- Skin changes
- Inflammatory lesions that do not heal
- Small, raised, smooth, shiny and polished lesions on the skin
- Flat, firm, red or brown and crust-like lesions
- Crusty, bleeding lesions
- Scar-like and permanent lesions
- Hard, rough, pink, red or brown, raised, crusted areas on the skin
- Cracking and peeling that does not go away with the help of lip balm on the lower lip
What can be done?
Skin cancers usually do not cause any symptoms or signs. A new growth on the skin, an increase in the size of the existing mass or spotting, and skin ulcers that do not heal within three months may be the leading signs of skin cancers. Therefore, skin changes should not be neglected.
