Causes of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is described as a condition in which the skin loses it’s natural ability to divide and grow normally. Normally, new cells are to be formed and divide to replace dead cells; abnormal cells can grow out of control and form a mass or what is referred to as a tumor. Some types of skin cancer have been known to spread to other parts of the body and cause other cancers. So what causes skin cancer? This article will provide in sights into the various causes of skin cancer, whether they be natural, genetic or self induced causes. They are explained below.
Natural Causes
Radiation caused by the sun is the root cause of skin cancer. Energy from the sun is known to be a form of radiation.
UV rays have been known to alter the chemical and genetic make up of the body. If the genetic damage is severe and unchecked, a normal skin cell will begin to grow in an uncontrollable and disorderly manner. This results in cancer. UV also can cause sunburn, and other damage that makes the skin look prematurely old and wrinkled.
There are two kinds of ultraviolet rays; they are invisible in sunlight and they cause sun tan, sun burn, most types of skins cancer and skin aging:
- Ultraviolet A (UVA)
- Ultraviolet B (UVB)
Scientists has initially postulated that excessive exposure to UVB rays was the the primary cause of skin cancer. Later on, they highlighted that UVA also is involved. It is therefore of utmost importance that one uses a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
Repeated exposure to X-Rays have also been known to cause skin cancer because of the radiation involved in the procedure.
Genetic Causes
Some instances of skin cancer have been found to be hereditary and runs in families, sometimes for many generations. In those instances, skin cancer is caused by the abnormal genes that children inherit from their parents. Genes are what make parents and children look somewhat alike. They also make them likely to get some of the same diseases and other medical traits.
Another cause of skin cancer is age. The age of persons will determine how resistant the skin is to the outside environment and this results in the nature and extent of skin cancer developed.
Induced Causes
Coming in contact with toxic chemicals can also cause skin cancer. Persons who have prolonged exposure to certain chemicals can develop skin cancer.
Here are a few other possible causes:
- Having light pale skin that burns easily
- Having a lot of moles (more than 100)
- Having red or fair hair and blue or green eyes
- Having lots of freckles
- Having certain skin conditions – for example scarring from burns or skin ulcers
- Having had repeated, untreated sunburn, especially during childhood
- Having close relatives who have had skin cancer
- Having used a sunbed
- Working outdoors
- Smoke
- Having a weakened immune system – for example, if you have HIV/AIDS, or are taking medicines that suppress your immune system
- Usage of excessive chemicals on the skin.
