Do you see Bleeding areas and Scaly Growths on your Skin? Get Alert, It can be a Symptom for Skin Cancer

In the United States, skin cancer is rampant to the extent that over a million skin cancer case is diagnosed yearly. According to the statistics, between 40 and 50% of Americans will suffer from cancer of the skin nothing less than once as they turn sixty-five years (this percentage is an estimate).

The frequent types of skin cancer are the malignant melanoma, Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Among these three types of cancer, the one that is so common is the Basal cell carcinoma. Its growth takes a slow process and it has a very slight chance of spreading to other parts of the body if it is treated; otherwise it can attack the surrounding areas. The bone as well as other tissues beneath the skin is another point of attack by Basal cell carcinoma if it is not treated.

What Are The Causative Factors For Skin Cancer?

The constant division and reproduction of the cells of the body to substitute the worn and damaged ones is a process that can lead to the formation of cancer. This is especially when the division and reproduction of the body cells is needless. In the process of this unnecessary division and multiplication, tissues are excessively formed; these excess tissues are tumor. However, tumor might not denote the presence of cancer when they are benign tumors. Tumors that are cancerous result from abnormal body cells division. Whether cancerous or benign tumors; they pose as threat to human life. Most cases of skin cancer estimated to 80% are as a result to exposure to the ultra violet rays of the sun.

Carrying Out Test for Skin Cancer

A self examination can be carried out to check the skin cancer for appearance of growths or other noticeable changes on the skin. This has to be done without having dress on and under a very bright light for clarity. This exercise should be carried out at least once every other month. You should check out for areas that are bleeding, with scaly growths, or changing moles.

A clinical test for cancer will include the doctor’s choice to biopsy suspicious marks. A skin examination should be sought for by everyone annually. This examination will look out for areas of the skin with patches of abnormal color, shape, texture or size and also for moles and birthmarks. A more advanced examination will involve the use of a dermascope for malignant skin lesions diagnosis.

Preventive Measures for Skin Cancer

Since over 70 percent of the skin cancer are caused by exposure to UV (ultra violet rays of the sun), the first protective measure for skin cancer will be to adopt protective measures from the direct sun rays. Such measure will include applying sunscreen lavishly before going out on the sun, putting on protective clothes, use of sun glasses with UV protection and you can even make effort to stay indoors at the time when the sun is the strongest and harsh on the skin.

Treatment for Skin Cancer

If detected early, virtually every type of skin cancer can be treated. The first treatment administered to skin cancer types is surgery so as to get rid of all the affected areas; this is not often the case for basal and squamous skin cancer types. Other treatment methods include radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, and topical chemotherapy especially for basal and squamous skin cancer types.