Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States among men and women. 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of their lifetime. A study showed that from 1970 to 2009, melanoma among women age 18-39 increased 800%. The use of tanning beds, bulbs, and other devices attributed to this.
The skin is formed of two layers, the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is made of squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes scattered throughout the basal cells. Melanocytes are located in the deepest part of the epidermis and produce the pigments of our skin. Exposing our skin to UV radiation causes the melanocytes to produce more pigment giving us the appearance of being tan. The melanocyte is the birthplace of a deadly skin cancer …show more content…
Most skin cancers begin when UV rays affect the DNA of the genes that control skin cell growth. Another common cause of skin cancer is through moles (nevi). A mole, is concentration of melanin which is produced from the melanocytes. Most people are not born with moles, but inherit or develop them as they get older. Melanoma is not the only deadly form of skin cancer. There are 3 major skin cancers; melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell cancer. Melanoma begins in the melanocytes and occurs mostly in people with fair skin, red or blonde hair, or blue or green eyes. Melanoma can form on any part of the body but usually occurs on the skin of the head, neck, shoulders, and hips of men and is often found on the lower legs, shoulders, and hips of women. Melanoma rarely forms in people with dark skin, but in cases where it has it is most commonly found on the …show more content…
Specifically overexposure to sunlight, tanning booths and lamps, personal history, family history,skin that burns easily, and certain medical conditions or medicine are the common risk factors surrounding skin cancer. There are specific risk factors for each type of skin cancer. Risk factors attributing to melanoma are 50 or more common moles and dysplastic nevus. A dysplastic nevus is a mole that looks different from other moles; mixture of several colors, wider than a pea, and bigger than a common mole. Basal and squamous cell risk factors are old scars, burns, ulcers, or areas of inflammation on the skin, exposure to arsenic, and radiation therapy. Specific risk factors for squamous cell is actinic keratosis, a type of flat, scaly growth on the skin. It is most often found on areas exposed to the sun, especially the face and the backs of the hands. Without treatment, this scaly growth may turn into squamous cell skin cancer. Another risk factor for squamous cell cancer is HPV (humanpapillomavirus). Certain types of HPV can infect the skin and may increase the risk of squamous cell skin cancer. These are not the HPVs that causes cervical cancers and other types of cancer in the genitalia. For all types of skin cancer limiting UV radiation can greatly decrease your
The skin is formed of two layers, the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is made of squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes scattered throughout the basal cells. Melanocytes are located in the deepest part of the epidermis and produce the pigments of our skin. Exposing our skin to UV radiation causes the melanocytes to produce more pigment giving us the appearance of being tan. The melanocyte is the birthplace of a deadly skin cancer …show more content…
Most skin cancers begin when UV rays affect the DNA of the genes that control skin cell growth. Another common cause of skin cancer is through moles (nevi). A mole, is concentration of melanin which is produced from the melanocytes. Most people are not born with moles, but inherit or develop them as they get older. Melanoma is not the only deadly form of skin cancer. There are 3 major skin cancers; melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell cancer. Melanoma begins in the melanocytes and occurs mostly in people with fair skin, red or blonde hair, or blue or green eyes. Melanoma can form on any part of the body but usually occurs on the skin of the head, neck, shoulders, and hips of men and is often found on the lower legs, shoulders, and hips of women. Melanoma rarely forms in people with dark skin, but in cases where it has it is most commonly found on the …show more content…
Specifically overexposure to sunlight, tanning booths and lamps, personal history, family history,skin that burns easily, and certain medical conditions or medicine are the common risk factors surrounding skin cancer. There are specific risk factors for each type of skin cancer. Risk factors attributing to melanoma are 50 or more common moles and dysplastic nevus. A dysplastic nevus is a mole that looks different from other moles; mixture of several colors, wider than a pea, and bigger than a common mole. Basal and squamous cell risk factors are old scars, burns, ulcers, or areas of inflammation on the skin, exposure to arsenic, and radiation therapy. Specific risk factors for squamous cell is actinic keratosis, a type of flat, scaly growth on the skin. It is most often found on areas exposed to the sun, especially the face and the backs of the hands. Without treatment, this scaly growth may turn into squamous cell skin cancer. Another risk factor for squamous cell cancer is HPV (humanpapillomavirus). Certain types of HPV can infect the skin and may increase the risk of squamous cell skin cancer. These are not the HPVs that causes cervical cancers and other types of cancer in the genitalia. For all types of skin cancer limiting UV radiation can greatly decrease your