What is skin cancer??????

Skin cancer 鈥?the abnormal growth of skin cells 鈥?most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.

There are three major types of skin cancer 鈥?basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, which is the most serious of skin cancer.

All three types of skin cancer are on the rise 鈥?but most skin cancers can be prevented by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and by paying attention to suspicious changes in your skin. And with early detection, you can receive successful treatment for most skin cancers, even the most aggressive forms.

Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. But it can also form on areas that rarely see the light of day 鈥?your palms, beneath your fingernails, the spaces between your toes or under your toenails, and your genital area.

Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions. When melanoma occurs in those with dark skin tones, it's more likely to occur in areas not normally considered to be sun-exposed. -

Cancer develops when DNA, the molecule found in cells that encodes genetic information, becomes damaged and the body cannot repair the damage. These damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. When this occurs in the skin, skin cancer develops. As the damaged cells multiply, they form a tumor. Since skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layers of skin, a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages.

Several different types, but essentially all are changes in the way the cells of the dermis replicate, which form cancers. BCC (Basal cell carcinoma) is probably the most benign, and is considered by many to not be a "cancer" as such in that it very very rarely spreads outside of the skin. It does grow locally however, and can require large surgery to remove, and facial/scalp BCC's can cause a few local problems. SCC (Squamous cell carcinoma's) are similar in their behaviour to BCC's, but they can fungate (often have a very recognisable odour to them!) and also can spread if left unchecked, commonly into regional lymph nodes, and then beyond. Melanoma, in all it's many forms (SSMM, LMM, ALMM....) affects many younger people, and is linked strongly to UV exposure. It is quite an aggressive cancer, but like many, if noticed and treated early is curable. Merkel Cell Ca is a rarer condition, but is even more aggressive than Melanoma. It spreads easily, and grows locally quickly in many cases. It can require intensive treatment even if caught early. There are also skin lymphoma's, and as Dr Frank correctly points out, several cancers can spread to the skin, although this is not a traditional site of spread for any cancer.

My dad died of skin cancer in 1995. We used to live in Cyprus on the early 1970's as my father was in the Forces. Years ago it was thought that if you had a tan it was healthy and never used sun cream, sadly my dads cancer came out in the middle of the 1980's and he just left it and left it thinking you couldn't die from it!!! How my dad suffered was horrific and disfiguring, i went to visit him in hospital and walked straight passed him, didn't recognise him at all, he had ballooned and was so swollen :(

Please, if you have to go out in the sun, use the strongest suncream, and never let kids out in it, my daugther has just left school and has already had a biopsy for suspected skin cancer (thankfully she was clear) and my husband is awaiting his results. No-one realises just how powerful the sun is.

TAKE CARE

skin cancer is when the folicles in your skin that produce the tanning element mylan, becomes cancerous from a mutation typically caused by the suns rays. most of the time it is not dangerous, and it does not grow, but there are some rare forms that can spread through the body if not treated correctly
look for moles that change shape, color, size, or texture or other irregularly shaped marks that change at all to identify
not nessessarily cancer, but you want to have those checked out immediatly.
it may be nothing, it may be canceros and harmless, or it could be spreading

if you think that you may have it, then check with a dermatologist immediatly. it is not fun to have, but can be treated easily if caught early enough
i would know, i have it

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is almost always cured when it is found early and treated. So it is important to see your doctor if you think you may have it.
Show your doctor any skin growths that change in color, shape, or size. Skin cancer usually starts as a growth, a sore that does not heal, or a change in a wart or mole.
Your doctor will use a biopsy to find out if you have skin cancer. This means taking a sample of the growth and sending it to a lab to see if it contains cancer cells.
Your doctor will want to remove all of the cancer. There are several ways to do this. The most common way is to numb your skin so that it does not hurt, then cut out the cancer. You will be awake while this is done.
After you have had skin cancer, you are more likely to get it again. Check your skin often, and see your doctor regularly for checkups.
Skin cancer is usually caused by too much time in the sun. You can prevent it by being careful. Stay out of the sun at midday, when the sun鈥檚 rays are strongest. Wear sunscreen or other sun protection. Do not use tanning booths or sunlamps. There are several types of skin cancer nonmelanoma, basal cell melanoma, squamus cell melanoma

Where some of the cells in your skin "mutate" (go wierd) and this creates a tumour, which can spread. the mutation can spread, which is why it is sometimes fatal. skin cancer can be directly linked with UV rays from the sun or tanning beds, which is why we are told not to tan.

There are a number of types of both primary and secondary cancers that affect the skin. Many books have been written on each type! Basically they all involve mitotic changes in the skin, or in the secondary tumour tissue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_cancer

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-ca...

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that affects your skin and can be deadly.

cancer in the skin