Causes and treatments of skin cancer are things that one should be aware of. Early detection of skin cancer the better.
The treatment is effective at the early stage of skin cancer. However, the causes of skin cancer may be prevented when you follow a healthy dietary and avoid a poor sedentary lifestyle.
What is skin cancer?
The abnormal division of skin cells is also known as skin cancer.
Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of the body that are exposed to sunlight like scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, and hands, and on the legs in women.
Nevertheless, it can also occur in areas that are rarely exposed to the sun, for instance in areas such as palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails.
It as well occurs in sole of the feet, and your genital area.
However, it is majorly caused by sunlight. There are a good number of causes and treatments of skin cancer.
However, in order to prevent skin cancer, you can avoid exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
For an abnormal change in your skin, visit any health care professional for assistance.
Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful treat skin cancer.
There are three major types of skin cancer namely,
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
Sign and Symptoms of Skin Cancer
The following are the symptoms of the above three common skin cancer.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Signs and Symptoms
- A pearly or waxy bump
- A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
- Bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns
Signs of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- A firm, red nodule
- A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
Melanoma Signs And Symptoms
- A large brownish spot with darker speckles
- A mole that changes in color, size or feels or that bleeds
- A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black
- A painful lesion that itches or burns.
- Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus
Other skin cancer includes:
Kaposi sarcoma– This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin’s blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes.
It mainly occurs in people with weak immune systems, such as people with AIDS, organic planting organ transplants, young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage.
Merkel cell carcinoma-It causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles.
Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck, and trunk.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma-it occurs in the oil glands in the skin. It has the following signs hard, painless nodules and can develop anywhere, however very common on the eyelid.
NOTE: Not all skin changes are caused by skin cancer.
What are the Causes of Skin Cancer?
When there is an abnormal growth of cells in the skin DNA, it is very possible to develop cancer.
The skin cancer usually starts on the epidermis layer of the skin.
The mutations on the epidermis layers such as squamous cell, basal cells, and melanocytes cause the cells to grow out of control and form a mass of cancer cells.
The main cause of skin cancer is the ultraviolet light from the sun and lights used in tanning beds. It damages DNA present in the skin epidermis cell.
However, sun exposure does not explain skin cancers that develop on skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
Therefore, other toxic substances aid in skin cancer.
The condition that may cause skin cancer includes the following.
Excessive sun exposure Causes Skin Cancer
The exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) may result in skin cancer. The UV light damages the DNA in the epidermis cells.
Therefore, anyone who spends most of the time in the sun may develop skin cancer, especially if the skin is not protected by sunscreen or clothing.
Furthermore, exposure to tanning lamps and beds may cause skin cancer.
Exposure to toxic substances can lead to skin cancer
Exposure to certain toxic chemicals like arsenic may increase your risk of skin cancer.
The toxic substances damage the skin DNA and may result in the abnormal mutation of epidermal cells.
Always keep off from harmful substances.
A weakened immune system Causes Skin Cancer
Individuals with weakened immune systems have a greater risk of developing skin cancer.
This includes people living with HIV/AIDS and those taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ transplant.
Young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage have a higher risk of skin cancer.
Exposure to radiation Causes Skin Cancer
Another causes of skin cancer are exposure to target therapy.
This may damage skin cells and this increases the chances of developing cancer.
For instance, individuals who received radiation treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and acne may have an increased risk of developing skin cancer, precisely basal cell carcinoma.
Gene Inheritance for skin cancer
For instance, if one of your parents or a sibling has had skin cancer, you may have an increased risk of the disease.
Furthermore, there are high chances of developing cancer if you had initially developed skin cancer.
The possibility of occurring again is higher.
Abnormal Moles Causes Skin Cancer
Some people have irregular and larger than normal moles has a higher risk of developing skin disease.
If you have a history of abnormal moles, you can also develop the skin disease
Precancerous skin lesions
Precancerous skin lesions is a type of skin growth that typically appears as rough, scaly patches that range in color from brown to dark pink.
People with skin lesions such as actinic keratosis have higher chances of developing skin cancer. It can occur on the face, head, and hand.
Less Melanin Causes Skin Cancer
Less melanin are another causes of skin cancer. Everyone can develop skin cancer regardless of skin color.
Melanin prevents UV light radiated from the sun from damaging the DNA cells in the epidermis.
Therefore, having less pigment or melanin in your skin can increase the risk of developing skin disease.
Furthermore, a person having blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, and freckles, is likely to develop skin cancer as compared to a person with darker skin.
9. Poor Nutrient Causes Skin Cancer
Lack of balanced diet can result in skin cancer. Lack of enough fruits and vegetable in your diet may lead to a flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.
Therefore, you need to eat a well-balanced diet with enough fruits and vegetable.
Being that vegetables and fruits contain vitamins and minerals required for skin protection.
What is the treatment of skin cancer?
Causes and treatments of skin cancer are possible.
However, treatment of skin cancer is best if it is early identified.
This type of cancer is caused by abnormal growth of epidermis cells.
Skin cancer can be prevented if you eat a well-balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables.
Choosing the most appropriate treatment and prevention method for skin cancer is very important.
For Effective Treatment Of Skin Cancer
Your doctor will examine your skin to identify if the changes on your skin are skin cancer.
Further testing may be carried out to affirm the diagnosis.
The doctor may take a sample of the suspicious areas of the skin for testing in the laboratory.
This is also known as a skin biopsy. A skin biopsy can determine whether you have skin cancer and, if so, what type of skin cancer you have.
Skin cancer has four stages, stage I cancers are small and limited to the area where they began.
Stage IV indicates advanced cancer that has spread to other areas of the body.
Through skin biopsy, your doctor will determine the stage and apply appropriate treatment techniques.
The treatment option for skin cancer and the precancerous skin lesions varies depending on the size, type, depth, and location of the lesions.
For instance, Small skin cancers limited to the surface of the skin may not require treatment beyond an initial skin biopsy that removes the entire growth.
Related: How Many Times Is Cancer Screening in Year?
Radiation Therapy For Skin Cancer Treatments
The Radiation therapy technique uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy may be an option when cancer cannot be completely removed during surgery.
Chemotherapy For Skin Cancer Treatments
In chemotherapy, drugs are used to kill cancer cells.
For cancers limited to the top layer of skin, creams or lotions containing anti-cancer agents may be applied directly to the skin.
Systemic chemotherapy can be used to treat skin cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.
Photodynamic Therapy
This treatment destroys skin cancer cells with a combination of laser light and drugs that makes cancer cells sensitive to light.
Biological Therapy
Biological therapy uses your body’s immune system to kill cancer cells.
Surgery For Skin Cancer Treatments
it is one of the common parts of a cancer treatment plan in case a person has a cancerous tumor.
A surgeon may remove the tumor and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue.
It can be removing the extra normal skin around the tumor.
Cryosurgery For Skin Cancer Treatments
Your doctor may destroy actinic keratosis and some small, early skin cancers by freezing them with liquid nitrogen.
In addition, an electric needle can be used to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
What is the prevention of skin cancer?
For your information, most skin cancers are preventable.
Some people think that skin cancer cannot be prevented successfully.
Here are the easiest tips on how to prevent skin cancer.
Eat Well-Balanced Diet To Prevent Skin Cancer
A healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables is all that you need.
Avoid saturated fats in your diet, processed and refined products.
Choosing a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the safest foods to eat.
They will help you prevent all type of cancer you may think of.
For instance, eating processed food; processed food contains harmful chemicals that can rapidly cause cancer.
Being aware of the causes and treatments of skin cancer such as avoiding poor dietary and eating a healthy diet is very crucial to help reduce the risk of skin cancer.
It is very important to check the food labels and read it carefully, to ensure you avoid saturated fats and harmful substances in your diet.
Finally, avoid alcoholic drinks.
Avoid The Sun During The Middle Of The Day
During the middle of the day, a stronger and excess UV light is radiated from the sun.
Exposure to this harmful radiation can cause skin cancer. So keep off from the midday radiated light.
Avoiding the sun at its strongest peak, it will help you avoid the sunburns and suntans that cause skin damage and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
Sun exposure accumulated over time also may cause skin cancer.
Avoid Bleaching Chemicals To prevent Skin Cancer
Most black people both men and women use bleaching cosmetics.
This is very harmful to your health.
Use of bleaching chemicals in creams reduces melanin or the black pigment.
Being that melanin prevents ultraviolet rays from damaging the epidermal cells, the reduction of it increases your risk of skin cancer.
Always avoid bleaching chemicals.
Applying Sunscreen to Treat skin cancer
Sunscreen help prevents UV light radiated from the sun, therefore wearing or applying it prevents you from developing skin cancer.
Therefore, to stay safe, apply sunscreen generously, and reapply on the body every two hours or more often if you are swimming or perspiring.
Wear Protective Clothing To Prevent Skin Cancer
Wearing protective clothing is very important because sunscreens do not provide complete protection from UV rays.
So cover your arms and legs, and head with protective clothes.
These protective clothes are made by various companies and sell photoprotective clothing.
Sunglasses are also important therefore, don’t forget sunglasses. Look for those that block both types of UV radiation.
Avoid Tanning Beds
A tan is your skin’s injury response to excessive UV radiation.
Tanning, including exposure to tanning lamps and beds.
Lights used in tanning beds emit UV rays and can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Knowing the causes and treatments of skin cancer such as avoiding tanning beds is the key to reduce skin cancer.
Therefore, avoid tanning beds for your safety.
Medical Awareness
Being aware of some of the drugs or medical therapy such as radiation therapy that may lead to cancer is very important.
Remember, some common drug prescription, including antibiotics, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Knowing the causes and treatments of skin cancer such as medical awareness is the key to battle skin cancer.
Make sure you consult a doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of any medications you take.
If they increase your sensitivity to sunlight, take extra precautions to stay out of the sun in order to protect your skin.
Check Your Skin Regularly And Report Changes To Your Doctor
Self-examination of your skin is very crucial.
It enables you to identify any change in your skin.
Therefore you can early seek treatment of skin cancer.
Regular skin check will also help you stay healthy. in case of unusual change on the skin, report to the healthcare Centre for medical checkup.
Regular Exercise to prevent skin cancer
Physical inactivity increases your risk of developing cancer, therefore, makes sure you perform some aerobic exercise at least two times a week.
More so, regular exercise improves your overall health, helps you maintain your weight, and improves your moods and brain functions.
Note: before starting exercise, especially when you are above 50 years old, you need to visit a nearby healthcare center for medical checkups.
Maintain Healthy Weight
Some causes and treatments of skin cancer are underweight, overweight and obesity.
Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. this will prevent you from developing cancer like skin cancer.
You can do this by checking your weight on a body mass index (BMI).
If you need to lose weight, include weight lifting and cardio exercise and reduce the number of calories you eat every day.
You need to visit a healthcare professional for assistance on how to create a plan for healthy weight loss or weight gain.