Who is prone to sunburn? Of course if you have light colored eyes, hair and skin, you are at higher risk. This combination is frequent among redheads. Redheads have a different type of melanin than people with dark hair. Blondes even carry some of the same pigments as redheads.

Duke University said that the melanin in redheads is more vulnerable to damage from the sun?s UV rays. Redheads, under exposure to the sun, developed a reaction of oxidative stress. This is where damage to DNA and cells may occur and over time, form cancer. Research used UVA and UVB rays for testing. UVA can cause damage without burning.

Sunscreens protect against UVB, but its not been shown to help against UVA. Sure, some protection is there, but the FDA will need to set guidelines for consumers. It all boils down to this: wear sunscreen and put it on your kids.

Here?s what you do:

1. Apply plenty of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply every 2 hours or as indicated on the bottle.
2. Reapply after swimming, sweating, even drying with a towel.
3. Apply even during cloudy days.
4. Avoid the sun in the middle of the day. 10 and 4 is indoor time.
5. Wear a hat, clothing and sunglasses.
6. Take care of the kids. Overexposure early in life may lead to skin cancers later in life.

Even so, the FDA has a warning label:

“Warning -This product does not contain a sunscreen and does not protect against sunburn. Repeated exposure of unprotected skin while tanning may increase the risk of skin aging, skin cancer, and other harmful effects to the skin even if you do not burn.”

Tags: Squamous Cell Carcinoma, , melanoma, skin cancer risk factors, what is skin cander, skin cancer treatment, Basal Cell Carcinoma, skin cancer, Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Causes of Skin Cancer

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Unfortunately, anyone can get skin cancer, but factors such as skin pigmentation, eye color, freckling tendency and family history may increase one’s risk of developing this disease.

A critical variable with a dramatic influence on skin cancer risk is excessive sun exposure in childhood, whether is intense, sporadic sun exposure (sunburn) or chronic sun exposure (tanning). Due to environmental changes, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a growing health concern for children. The ozone layer exhaustion has resulted in loss of planetary “sunscreen” in charge with reflecting and absorbing ultraviolet radiation. This situation increased levels of ultraviolet radiation falling on the Earth.

Protecting children from sun overexposure should be the goal of all parents. This protection doesn’t mean complete avoidance of sun light. We refer to specific situations varying from short time exposure to very intense sunlight to long time exposure to a normal sunlight intensity.

Children sun-protection do not require very complicate actions or procedures. It only means to avoid artificial and natural ultraviolet light sources by proper use of sunscreens, shade or sun-protection gear. According to ultraviolet intensity levels the sun precautions or actions include sunglasses, sunscreens, physical protection (hats, umbrellas) and sun avoidance in case of very high intensity.

Tags: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Skin Cancer Diagnosis, what is skin cander, Causes of Skin Cancer, skin cancer treatment, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, , melanoma, skin cancer, skin cancer risk factors

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On the other hand, skin cancer often appears on the parts of body, which are never exposed to sun. Less than 10,000 people die from skin cancer in US each year. To place this in proper perspective, people in United States are 10 times more likely to be killed in a hospital due to a medical error or twice as likely to be shot to death by a gun. People are now spending billions on the so-called sun-blockers, trying to save themselves from something, which does not threaten them at all: out of 300 sun-baders, 299 never get skin cancer.

If the sun was really responsible for skin cancer, should not the number be much greater? Last, but not least: if sun were the cause of skin cancer, introduction of sun-blockers would have significantly reduced the cases of skin cancer. It did not.

Tags: Skin Cancer Diagnosis, skin cancer treatment, what is skin cander, skin cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, skin cancer risk factors, melanoma, Causes of Skin Cancer, , Basal Cell Carcinoma

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What is skin cancer?
There are basically 3 types of skin cancer; basal cell cancer or carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms of skin cancer the least dangerous, the least likely to spread and the most highly treatable in the case of early detection. Malignant melanoma is the more serious skin cancer but is also highly treatable in the early phases.

Basal cell carcinoma
This disease is most prevalent in blond, fair-skinned people. It can be identified as an ulcerlike growth that spreads very slowly and destroys tissue as it moves. A large pearly looking lump, is normally the first sign of this cancer. It can be found most often on the face by the nose, neck or the ears. Six weeks after its initial presentation the lump will become ulcerated. The lump will display a raw, moist center with a hard border that may bleed. Eventually a scab will form over the ulcer and then come off. But the ulcer never fully heals and scab formation continues. Some basal cell carcinomas can be found on the back or on the chest. These are flat in appearance. Basal cell carcinoma is generally curable, its slow development facilitating treatment. If they do go untreated however, they can significantly damage the layers of skin and bone beneath them.

Squamous cell carcinoma
This form of skin cancer is characterized by the development of lumps or tumors under the skin. These lumps start out as a thickened area that later breaks down and forms an ulcer with a crust that does not heal. They appear most often on the ears, hands, face, or the lower lip. Once again fair-skinned people are at risk but most often they are over fifty years of age and have spent a lot of time outdoors. Squamous cell cancer is very treatable in the early stages.

Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is a skin cancer in which a tumor arises from the skins pigment-producing cells. The most common forms of malignant melanoma originate in moles. Here are some of the characteristics of cancerous moles: Moles that are asymmetrical or have an irregular color or that are growing in size can be precancerous moles. Cancerous moles are generally larger than 5 millimeters in diameter (about the size of a pencil eraser) but a new mole, even if it is small should be checked. A lot of cancerous moles are very dark or have irregular pigmentation but some cancerous moles have no pigment at all due to cells that are so abnormal that they are not producing pigment.
Thickness is another aspect of mole anatomy that is important to consider. Cancerous moles that are less than 1 millimeter thick and are removed have a very high cure rate. If a mole that is 4 millimeters or more has to be removed there is a strong possibility that it has already invaded the dermis and has access to the blood vessels. There is a very high possibility that the melanoma has spread or will spread to other areas of the body.

If you are blond, red haired, fair-skinned and have a tendancy to sunburn you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. Freckles, a family history of skin cancer, a blistering sunburn as a child or more than 100 moles on your body, are other factors that can put you at risk. If you are one of these people you should be thoroughly checked by a dermatologist from the top of your scalp to bottom of your feet. Even if you have none of these conditions, you should become familiar with the look of your skin. Be vigilant in spotting abnormalities or changes and then reporting them to a doctor. A regular full skin examination is painless and straightforward and it might just save your life.

Valerie Harker graduated from the University of Alberta with a BED. Melanoma is a skin disease that has run in Valeries family and has opened her eyes to the need for education and preventive treatment in skin care. For more information you can visit her site at: http://www.dna-repair-solutions.com

Tags: Causes of Skin Cancer, , Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, skin cancer risk factors, skin cancer treatment, melanoma, skin cancer, Basal Cell Carcinoma, what is skin cander

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Skin cancer comes in three forms: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Of the three, melanoma is the most dangerous and life threatening. Skin cancer claims the lives of approximately ten thousand Americans on an annual basis.

What causes skin cancer?

Overexposure to ultraviolet sunlight (UV rays) is believed to be the dominant external factor in a person?s development of skin cancer, although genetic factors can play a role. To protect yourself from UV rays, you should take the following 5 steps for proper skin cancer prevention:

1. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure: Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight during midday (generally from 10am to 4pm). This is the time when UV rays are most intense. Plan your schedule to avoid outdoor activities during these hours. Also, be aware that sand and snow reflect sunlight, so if you?re at the beach or a ski resort, direct sunlight can bombard you from every direction with UV rays.

2. Cover Yourself: When out in the sun, keep your skin covered. Wear long-sleeves and long pants if possible. Wearing a hat with a 3 to 4 inch brim all around is preferable. This will guard your neck and cheeks from dangerous prolonged exposure. Also note that dry, dark-colored garments offer the best protection.

3. Use Sunscreen Properly: You should always use sunscreen when enduring prolonged exposure in the sun. Find a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 and read the directions for proper application. The higher the SPF, the higher the protection you will receive against dangerous sunburns. However, sunscreen does not offer ?bulletproof? protection, and UV rays can penetrate water, so just because you feel ?cool? in the water doesn?t mean you?re protected from sunburn.

4. Use Sunglasses That Block UV Rays: Making certain your sunglasses can block UV rays helps to guard your eyes from serious sun damage. The best constructed sunglasses should have a UV ray absorption rate of 99% to 100%. Never assume that darker lenses equal increased protection. UV rays are blocked by a chemical applied to the lenses. This chemical has nothing to do with the color of transparency of sunglass lenses.

5. Stay Away From Tanning Beds: It is a myth to believe that tanning beds and sunlamps are free of harmful UV rays. These cosmetic instruments might make your skin more attractive in the short-term, but they can significantly increase your risk of developing skin cancer in the long-term. Health professionals advise their patients to avoid them.

By implementing these 5 steps in your daily routine, you can significantly decrease your risk of developing skin cancer, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle that allows for proper exposure to the sun. Another important step in prevention of skin cancer is routine examination by a doctor. If skin cancer is detected early, then your odds of survival are markedly increased.

Tags: Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, skin cancer, , what is skin cander, melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Causes of Skin Cancer, skin cancer risk factors, skin cancer treatment

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But, are you aware that there are several types of skin cancer? Read on to learn more.

Melanoma: Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in melanocytes, the cells which produce the pigment melanin that colors our skin, hair, and eyes and is heavily concentrated in most moles. The majority of melanomas, therefore, are black or brown. However, melanomas occasionally stop producing pigment. When that happens, the melanomas may no longer be dark, but are skin-colored, pink, red or purple. (Source www.skincancer.org)

Basal Cell Carcinoma: The most common form of skin cancer, are cells that line the deepest layer of the epidermis. An abnormal growth ? a tumor ? of this layer is known as basal cell carcinoma. (Source www.skincancer.org)

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The next most common form of skin cancer. Squamous cells are cells that compose most of the epidermis. An abnormal growth of these cells is known as a squamous cell carcinoma. (Source www.skincancer.org)

These are the most well known skin cancers that you hear about all the time… but how do they get to this stage without us knowing? It is because we ignore the early warning signs, such as skin growths, lesions, changes in moles or freckles, anything on our skins that doesn’t look normal, these need to be checked into to ensure early detection.

Skin cancer is one of the most survivable, treatable and preventable cancer’s out there.

So, be more aware of your skin and if you are going out in the sun, put sunscreen on, cover up and protect yourself, it is not worth the risk.

Tags: Causes of Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, , Basal Cell Carcinoma, melanoma, skin cancer treatment, what is skin cander, Skin Cancer Diagnosis, skin cancer, skin cancer risk factors

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Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers and accounts for almost half of all cancers in the United States. There are two types of skin cancer, nonmelanoma and melanoma.

U.S. doctors find more than 1 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer, usually in a patient?s basal cells or squamous cells. Exposing skin ? the face, ear, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands ? to the sun causes most nonmelanoma skin cancer. While they can grow fast or slow, they rarely spread to other parts of the body.

The second kind, melanoma does spread to other areas of the body making it more dangerous. It accounts for just a small percentage of skin cancer, but it causes most skin cancer deaths. Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the pigment cells that produce the skin coloring (melanin) which helps protect deeper layers of the skin from the sun?s harmful rays. Detected early, melanoma is almost always curable.

Photodynamic therapy

Both nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers respond to photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment for skin cancer that combines a light source and a photosensitizing agent (a drug that is activated by light) to destroy cancer cells. It?s sometimes called photoradiation therapy, phototherapy or photochemotherapy and is useful when there are several lesions on the skin or scalp.

A photosensitizing agent, for example fluorouracil, spread on the skin makes PDT work, because the agent collects more readily in cancer cells than in normal cells. Exposing the agent to light makes it react with oxygen to create chemicals that can kill a skin cancer cell. However, the approved light sources can only penetrate a limited depth of tissue; therefore doctors mainly use PDT to treat areas on or just under the skin. It?s less effective for treating large tumors, because the light cannot pass deep into the tumors. Because it?s a localized treatment, doctors don?t use PDT to treat skin cancer that has metastasized.

Doctors sometimes use PDT in precancerous treatments. It usually needs pre-approval by a healthcare provider. Just because the treatment is in the facial area, case managers shouldn?t assume it?s a cosmetic treatment. Check to see the patient?s age, if the patient is over 60 years old, the case is probably not cosmetic. Also, look at the chart to see if there are multiple lesions on the skin or scalp, usually three or more.

Tags: melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, skin cancer, what is skin cander, skin cancer risk factors, Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, skin cancer treatment, , Causes of Skin Cancer

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Skin cancer is often given short shift when cancer is discussed. In truth, it can be deadly in some forms and thousands of people suffer from it. Many of them don?t even know until it is too late. Fortunately, skin cancer is preventable and easily so. It is all about using sunscreen. There is more to it, however, than just applying sunscreen once at the beginning of the day and then forgetting about it. Here are some tips on how you should use it.

1. Early Application ? Sunscreens work in different ways. Some work immediately, while others much sit on your skin for a bit. As a general course, you should apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going out in the sun.

2. Reapplication ? Sunscreen protection is dependent on it being on your body. From time to time, you will need to reapply it during the day. How often? Well, read the instructions first. Also, reapply it anytime you go in the water or sweat profusely. This is true even for ?waterproof? sunscreens. As an overall general rule, reapply every two to three hours.

3. Cloudy Days ? Don?t be fooled by cloudy days. The vast majority of harmful rays from the sun penetrate the clouds. You should still use sunscreen on cloudy days and follow the reapplication guide above.

4. Your Scalp ? For many of us, we don?t have as much hair up there as we perhaps think we do. If you have thinning hair, your scalp is going to take a beating from the sun. Now is not the time to be proud. Use sunscreen or where a hat to keep your scalp from being cooked.

5. Lips ? Finally, nothing is worse then burned lips. Use a lip balm with sunscreen to protect the delicate lip skin.

When heading outside, it is often easy to get lazy and forget to apply sunscreen. Skin cancer is a serious thing, so show some common sense and protect yourself.

Tags: Basal Cell Carcinoma, skin cancer risk factors, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, what is skin cander, skin cancer treatment, melanoma, Causes of Skin Cancer, Skin Cancer Diagnosis, skin cancer,

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While no form of cancer is a laughing matter, some forms are often considered less dangerous by most people. Skin cancer is one such form that seems somewhat innocuous, but is actually very dangerous.

The Shinny on Skin Cancer

Any way you cut it, cancer is a scary thing. Next to AIDS, cancer is just about the last thing you want to hear when you are at the doctor’s office. Although medical research has come a long way when it comes to treating many forms of cancer, it is still a horrific diagnosis. Throw in the fact that chemotherapy treatment is brutal to undergo, and you have a deadly disease with as nearly a deadly treatment.

As you probably know by now, there are many different forms of cancer. Some are slow growing and treatable, while others prove to be terminal in nearly every case. This leads many to consider some cancers more serious than others. In truth, all cancers are serious and some of the ones that people brush off as not serious can kill you. Skin cancer is one such form.

So, what is skin cancer? A simple description is the abnormal growth of cells on your skin. It tends to be categorized in three ways - melanoma, basal and squamous. Anyone can get skin cancer, but individuals with fair skin tend to be more susceptible. Dark tans or naturally dark skin do not protect you against skin cancer - a common misconception.

Of the three types of skin cancer, melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly. Fortunately, it is also the rarest of the three. Melanoma is usually considered to be associated with moles, but not always. The association is often made because melanoma often is found with collections of melanocytes, cells that produce the black pigment found in moles. To the naked eye, it can be difficult to tell the difference between moles and melanoma. If you have moles, and most people do, the key is to watch for any changes to the moles such as expansion, bleeding or itching. If melanoma is not treated early, it can spread to your lymph nodes and then the rest of the body.

Basal cell and squamous skin cancer are more common, but far less deadly. Basal tends to stick to the impacted area of the skin and not spread to the internal body. It should be treated, but is rarely considered a terminal situation. Squamous is a less common than Basal, but packs more of a punch. Although it can spread, it tends to appear as red, open sores when it does. Unless you completely fail to use common sense by seeing a doctor at some point, it rarely makes it to a terminal state.

Unlike many forms of cancer, skin cancer is preventable if you use common sense. If you are going to be outside in the sun for a significant time, wear sun block with a SPF 15 rating or better. Avoid tanning booths, which can cause the same damage as the sun. If you have moles, check them once a month in the mirror for any noticeable changes, bleeding. If a mole starts to itch, it is time to make an appointment with a dermatologist.

About the Author

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of natural sun protection products for the outdoors.

Tags: Causes of Skin Cancer, , melanoma, skin cancer risk factors, skin cancer treatment, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, what is skin cander, skin cancer

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Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in United States. Skin cancer is categorized into two main types, melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma is a rare form of skin cancer and is difficult to cure. It spreads through the body quite rapidly if not diagnosed in time.

Manifestation of malignancy on the skin can be of various types. Skin cancer is mostly visible as some kind of change on the skin, such as a sore or growth that does not heal easily. At times it is manifested in the form of lumps that are smooth, shiny or reddish in color. It may also manifest as a flat red spot that could be rough or scaly. Even though all changes in the skin are not indicative of skin cancer, it is advisable to contact a medical practitioner for confirmed diagnosis.

Many a time it is seen that melanoma originates from or near a mole. American Academy of Dermatology has specified moles that could lead to malignancy. Asymmetric moles, are ones in which one half of the mole does not match the other half. They have at times irregular borders, which are blurred or ragged. Pigmentation is also not uniform making it look mottled and blotchy. These moles are found to have a width of more than 6 mm. Symptoms and signs differ for each individual and only a doctor will be able to give a proper diagnosis.

It is possible to cure non-melanoma cancer because of various advancements in this field. Prevention of the skin cancer is possible by avoiding exposure to the sun for a long time.

Tags: melanoma, skin cancer, skin cancer treatment, Causes of Skin Cancer, Skin Cancer Diagnosis, what is skin cander, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, , skin cancer risk factors, Basal Cell Carcinoma

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