Skin cancer

Sometimes, skin cells grow too much.

This can make bumps or spots.

Too much light from the sun can cause this.

Tanning beds also have this light.

Some bumps grow very slowly. They might look shiny. Other bumps can be hard and scaly.

Some spots are more serious.

They can change in color or shape. They might even itch.

Doctors can help fix these spots. Using sun cream can help keep you safe. It is good to look after your skin.

Skin cancer happens when skin cells grow too much.

These cells form tumors. This is the most common cancer in humans.

Most cases come from ultraviolet radiation. We call this UV radiation. It is the light from the sun. Tanning beds also give off this light. UV light can damage the DNA in your cells. DNA is the code that tells cells how to work.

There are three main types of skin cancer. The first is basal-cell cancer. It often looks like a shiny, raised bump. It grows slowly and is usually curable.

The second type is squamous-cell cancer. This can look like a hard, scaly lump.

The third type is melanoma. This is the most serious type. It can spread to other parts of the body. You might see a mole change shape or color.

It might also itch or bleed.

Doctors use a biopsy to find cancer. A biopsy is when a doctor takes a tiny piece of skin to study it. You can help protect your skin. Using sunscreen can lower your risk.

Skin cancer is a very common health issue for humans. It happens when skin cells start to grow in a way they should not. These cells grow uncontrollably and form what are called malignant tumors. These tumors can sometimes invade or spread to other parts of the body. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer found in people. It accounts for at least 40% of all cancer cases around the world.

Most skin cancers come from ultraviolet radiation, which people often call UV radiation. This is a type of light from the sun or from tanning beds. UV radiation can cause damage to the DNA inside your skin cells. DNA is like a set of instructions that tells cells how to grow. When the instructions get damaged, cells might grow the wrong way. For some types, like melanoma, this damage is caused by UVA radiation. Other types, like basal-cell and squamous-cell, are often caused by UVB radiation.

There are three main types of skin cancer you should know. The first is basal-cell skin cancer, or BCC. It often looks like a shiny, raised bump on the face or neck. It grows slowly and is usually easy to treat with surgery.

The second type is squamous-cell skin cancer, or SCC. This often appears as a hard, red, or scaly lump. It is more likely to spread than BCC. The third type is melanoma, which is the most aggressive type. It can start from a mole that changes in size, shape, or color.

Scientists and doctors have studied these cancers for a long time. We know that UV exposure has increased since the industrial revolution began. This happened partly because the ozone layer was depleted. In the United States, more than 90% of people survive melanoma for five years. In the United Kingdom, the survival rate is over 86%. Global data from 2012 shows that melanoma affected 232,000 people. This resulted in 55,000 deaths that year.

Learning about skin cancer helps us stay healthy. Doctors use a biopsy to find cancer by looking at a tiny piece of skin. You can protect yourself by using sunscreen and staying out of too much sun. Using sunscreen can help prevent melanoma and squamous-cell skin cancer. People with lighter skin or poor immune functions have a higher risk. It is also important to watch your moles for any changes. If a mole becomes itchy, bleeds, or grows, it is good to tell a doctor.

Skin cancer is a condition where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably within the skin. These cells form malignant tumors, which are growths that can invade nearby tissue. They may also spread to other parts of the body. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans. Globally, it accounts for at least 40% of all cancer cases.

The primary cause of these cancers is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This radiation comes from the sun or from artificial tanning devices. UV radiation causes damage to the DNA inside skin cells through photochemical reactions. Specifically, it can form cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers between adjacent bases in the DNA. While human cells use a process called nucleotide excision repair to fix this damage, high levels of exposure can overwhelm this system.

There are three main types of skin cancer. The first is basal-cell carcinoma (BCC), which is the most common. It often appears as a shiny, raised, pearly bump on sun-exposed areas like the face. BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads to distant areas. The second type is squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC). This often presents as a hard, red, or scaly patch. SCC is more likely to spread than BCC, especially in the lip or ear.

The third and most aggressive type is melanoma. Melanomas can develop from existing moles, which accounts for 20% to 30% of cases. They are often characterized by irregular shapes, colors, and borders. Doctors use the "ABCDE" mnemonic to identify warning signs. This stands for asymmetry, irregular borders, color variation, diameter larger than 6 mm, and evolving size or shape.

Different types of UV radiation affect the skin in different ways. BCC and SCC often carry a UV-signature mutation. This indicates they are caused by UVB radiation through direct DNA damage. In contrast, melanoma is predominantly caused by UVA radiation. This type of damage is indirect and is caused by free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Exposure to UV radiation has increased since the Industrial Revolution, partly due to ozone depletion.

Risk factors vary depending on the individual and the type of cancer. People with lighter skin or poor immune function are at higher risk. For example, certain medications like cyclosporin A can increase risk significantly. For melanoma and BCC, exposure during childhood is particularly harmful. However, for SCC, total lifetime exposure is the more important factor.

Diagnosis is usually confirmed through a biopsy. This is a procedure where a doctor removes a sample of tissue for examination. There are also non-invasive methods like dermatoscopy and various types of spectroscopy. Once diagnosed, treatment depends on the type of cancer. Nonmelanoma skin cancers are usually curable through surgical removal or radiation. Melanoma treatment may require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Survival rates for melanoma are relatively high compared to other cancers. In the United States, more than 90% of people survive for at least five years. In the United Kingdom, the survival rate is over 86%. However, melanoma remains serious because it can cause death once it spreads. In 2012, melanoma affected 232,000 people globally and resulted in 55,000 deaths.