Skin cancer, which is considered the main cancer that is avoidable, becomes reality when the skin cells are damaged and starts to grow uncontrollably. Sun exposure is the cause of approximately 90 percent of the types of skin cancer. Most areas that develop skin cancer are those that are directly out in the sun on a daily basis: scalp. However occasions arise where it develops in sun unexposed areas such as spaces between the toes, palms, beneath fingernails, genital areas, and under the toenails. The skin is made up of cells called cells, squamous cells, and melanocytes cells. The three main types of cancers get their names from the skin cell where it develops.
Common Types of Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most frequent developing of the types of skin cancer and it usually develops in unclothed areas of the body that come in contact with the sun. It is thought of as being easy to treat not normally move to other areas of the body. However, if left untreated it can grow below the skin and damage surrounding tissues including the bone. It sometimes presents itself as a: a shiny rise in the skin, or a flat abrasion or an infected bump.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma most often times appear on the unclothed parts of the body the namely, hands, face or lips. It is treatable but if left untreated can metastasize. It will show itself as a hard, red swelling. It may also seem a depressed abrasion that has a rough, flaky top or an infected bump that has difficulty healing.
Melanoma
Melanoma is known to be widely fatal of the types of skin cancer and it is capable of spreading to other parts of the body. It is considered treatable when the detection is not late. It may appear as a mole, freckle, or color changing blotch that resizes with a shape that is not regular and is multi colored. In men, it often appears in the trunk, neck or head and in women, on the lower legs.
Unpopular Types of Skin Cancer
Kaposi Sarcoma
It is a rare type of cancer of the skin that causes colored patches to appear on the skin or mucous membranes. It affects the blood vessels in the skin and mostly occurs in persons with an at risk immune system.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
This type of skin cancer is found on sun exposed areas of the head, neck, arms, and legs. It results in hard glossy lumps that appear on or a little below the skin surface and in hair follicles.
Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma
This type usually develops on the eyelid but can appear anywhere as a hard, painless swelling. It is uncommon but aggressive and originates in the oil producing glands of the skin.
Reduce the risk of any one of these types of skin cancer by limiting exposure to ultraviolet radiation and by checking skin regularly for suspicious changes.
