Melanoma Skin Cancer Research Paper

Melanocytes are cells that are responsible for producing and creating melanin, and that is what makes us all so unique. People come in various different shades of color and the reason behind it is melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives humans the different shades of color for their hair, skin and eyes. Melanocytes is located in the epidermis layer, which is why it is important that we have protection. Melanin is what protects our skin from the effects that one may encounter from the sun. That is why caucasians are more immune to skin cancer because they do not produce enough melanin as someone with darker skin does. Most people believe that people with dark skin cannot get skin cancer which is false. Ultraviolet radiation is how one can get skin cancer. If an individual is exposed to the sun for long periods of time, he or she has a good chance of getting skin cancer, regardless of their skin color. …show more content…
Melanoma skin cancer begins in melanocytes, and can occur on any skin surface. People with dark shades of skin have a very rare chance of getting getting melanoma. Basal cell skin cancer begins in the basal cell layer of the skin and it occurs where skin is exposed to the sunlight. This is the most common type of cancer for those who are really fair. Squamous cell skin cancer begins in the squamous cell layer of the skin and it is very common for those who have dark skin. However those who are fair can also get squamous cell skin cancer as well, and for them it is found where they are exposed to the