Skin Cancer, Often Underestimated Skin cancer strikes an estimated three million people a year worldwide making it the most common of all types of cancer. We know the main cause of most skin cancer cases and we know how to prevent the vast majority of them. Yet still millions of people across the globe are ignoring the warnings and deliberately putting themselves at risk of developing a disease which can both maim and kill its victims.
Skin cancer is a term used to identify cancerous cell growth on the epidermis of a person, but it really breaks down into three types. Melanoma skin cancer is by far the most deadly one. When people discuss skin cancer, they are really talking about a general term that applies to cancerous problems with the skin. There are actually three subcategories of skin cancer – basal, squamous and melanoma. Melanoma is by far the deadliest.
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.
Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most common are melanoma, basal call carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Although melanoma is not found as often as other skin cancers, it is one of the most well known because it causes the most deaths related to skin cancer. Melanoma is hard to treat, with the most effective option being simply removing the part of the skin that is affected. However, this has to be done early in order to be at all successful. There are approximately 160,000 new cases of melanoma each year. Approximately 48,000 people die of melanoma each year. Melanoma can be caused by exposure to the sun. This is particularly significant if a person has had a bad sunburn during childhood. White males usually get melanoma more than any other group, and people living in sunny climates are at higher risk. There is also a genetic risk factor.
Skin Cancer, Often Underestimated Skin cancer strikes an estimated three million people a year worldwide making it the most common of all types of cancer. We know the main cause of most skin cancer cases and we know how to prevent the vast majority of them. Yet still millions of people across the globe are ignoring the warnings and deliberately putting themselves at risk of developing a disease which can both maim and kill its victims.
Although there are several types of skin cancer, the most common are melanoma, basal call carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Although melanoma is not found as often as other skin cancers, it is one of the most well known because it causes the most deaths related to skin cancer. Melanoma is hard to treat, with the most effective option being simply removing the part of the skin that is affected. However, this has to be done early in order to be at all successful. There are approximately 160,000 new cases of melanoma each year. Approximately 48,000 people die of melanoma each year. Melanoma can be caused by exposure to the sun. This is particularly significant if a person has had a bad sunburn during childhood. White males usually get melanoma more than any other group, and people living in sunny climates are at higher risk. There is also a genetic risk factor.
Many forms of cancer are difficult to prevent. If you are diagnosed with them, it is just your bad luck. This is not the case with skin cancer. The skin performs a very important purpose. It protects the body against heat, radiation and infection. The skin also regulates your temperature and produces vitamin D. To the surprise of many, the skin is considered an organ. In fact, it is the largest organ you have. |