Skin Cancer

Skin is our largest organ and one that is not immune to developing cancerous cells.  Skin cancer develops when damaged cells start growing and dividing uncontrollably in the skin.  This form of cancer is the most prevalent with more than one million cases in the United States diagnosed each year.  Here we will cover some of the commonly asked questions about skin cancer.

What Are The Different Forms of Skin Cancer?
There are different types of skin cancer with three forms accounting for almost all of the diagnosed cases.  They are:

•    Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)-  Accounting for nearly 80% of skin cancer, BCC develops in the basal cells which are located in the lowest layer of the epidermis.  It is commonly found on areas of the body regularly exposed to the sun such as your face, head and upper body.  Signs of BCC include skin that appears as a sore that repeatedly heals and re-opens, a slightly elevated pink growth, patch of irritated skin that is red in color and/or shiny translucent skin.  This type of cancer does not commonly spread but should be treated to protect surrounding tissue.

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Preventing Skin Cancer – Promoting Healthy Skin

Preventing skin cancer is not hard to do. Recent research shows that despite all of the warnings and information about skin cancer,  only one-third of people will consistently protect their skin with proper sunscreen. Those statistics make it understandable that one in every 5 Americans will develop the disease. The most serious of skin cancer, known as melanoma, has seen cases double over the last 30 years for women under 40.

Taking care of your skin should be part of your daily health care regimen so here are some easy tips to remember when you are protecting your skin and your overall health:

Always Use Sunscreen Protection
Many individuals make the mistake of only requiring sunscreen for themselves and their family during the summer months. The reality is that the dangerous UVB rays that burn your skin are present during any time of the year, even on cloudy or snowy days. Use sunscreen lotion on all exposed skin. Don’t forget your lips!

Apply Before You Leave the House
If you are planning to go outside for any amount of time, apply the lotion at least a half an hour before going outside. These minutes will give the lotion’s active ingredients time to work effectively.
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