subject: The Causes Of Skin Cancer [print this page] Skin cancer is defined as any malignant growth that may occur on the skin. There are three major forms of skin cancers which include melanoma, basal cell cancer and squamos cell cancer. Because the tumours will usually develop on the epidermis or the outermost layer of the skin, identifying the cancerous growth is relatively easy. Skin cancer is very common and is the most apparent cancer in human populations. However it has a significantly lower incidence of death because of the probability that it will be caught in the early phases of the disease. Melanoma is the worst kind of skin cancer but is less common than the two other forms of this disease. In many instances of the disease, the cancer does not always spread immediately or at all.
What causes Skin Cancer?
There are quite a few known causes of skin cancer. The most widely accepted cause is over exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays or sunlight. The list below highlights some of the main causes:
*Suffering from any deficiency of the immune system, that is having a disease that subjects you to lowered immune system function, will elevate the risk for developing skin cancer. This lowering in the ability of the immune system to function may also be because of consuming drugs to fight an autoimmune disease or after having an organ transplant. These drugs will be used to lessen the immune system response in the case of autoimmune diseases that induce the immune system to attack its own cells and organs, for example in people with lupus. These drugs are also utilized after an organ transplant to make certain that the body will not reject the newly transplanted organ.
*Being exposed to atypically high levels of X-rays may induce the development of skin cancer.
*Using tanning booths to get an artificial tan has been broadly accepted as a probable cause of the disease.
*There are some chemicals that have been found to cause the development of skin cancers. These will typically include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and arsenic. It is speculated that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may possibly be inhaled because of low levels of contamination in the air, consumed in foods and by making contact with any surface that is saturated with the chemical.
*Some people are said to be at a greater risk, such as lighter skinned people, people with blond or red hair and green or blue eyes. Having freckles or being prone to sun burn may also elevate a person's risk for developing this type of cancer.
* Having a genetic abnormality that does not allow the development of pigment can increase the risk for the disease. These disorders include albinism and xeroderma pigmentosum.
*If an individual has already had skin cancer the risk is much higher.
*If you had at least one very extreme case of sunburn in childhood the risk for developing this type of cancer is greater.
*Having a family history of the disease is also a well known risk factor.
*If you have several moles these can become cancerous growths on the skin's surface. Some individuals choose to have any moles removed to decrease the likelihood that they will develop into cancerous growths.
by: Brian Jones
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