Abnormal growth of skin cells occurs due to exposure to sun rays for a prolonged period and causes cancer. The abnormalities in the cells are due to DNA damage. These abnormal cells, instead of perishing, will replicate to increase the numbers. The immune system is attacked by these mutated cells and tends to spread throughout the body. When this DNA damage begins, you are prone to skin cancer.
Skin cancer typically appears in sun-exposed regions of the body such as the lips, scalp, face, neck, chest, arms, scalp, and hands. But the development of this type of cancer on parts of your body that are infrequently exposed to sunlight such as your palms, the skin just beneath your finger or toenail as well as your genital region cannot be ruled out.
Understanding the skin cancer symptoms, causes, and preventive measures will reduce the chances of its occurrence.
Skin Cancer Causes
Knowing the skin cancer causes and adopting preventive measures is one way of guarding yourself against it. Here are some of the avoidable causes of cancer:
1. Exposure to UV Rays
UV rays from the sun are one of the leading skin cancer causes. You will have to bear in mind that you are increasingly exposed to the sun when you are below 18 years and this severe exposure can cause melanoma, one of the most dangerous types of cancer. Sun rays in winter are equally harmful to the skin as sun rays in summer. Increased exposure to UV rays can lead to nonmelanoma skin cancer.
By following some tips you can avoid exposure to UV rays when you set out and help prevent skin cancer.
- Protect your skin when you set out by applying sunscreen lotion with an SPF of 30 and higher.
- The sun is most scorching between 10 a.m. and 3 pm. Try to avoid exposure to the sun during these hours whenever possible.
- Wear protective gear when you set out in the sun.
- Wear headgear like a hat or a scarf to protect your scalp from sun rays.
2. Genetic Variations
Genetic mutations or variations can be acquired or inherited. Melanoma is most commonly caused by the mutation of the BRAF gene. About half of individuals who have melanoma that has spread or cannot be removed surgically have BRAF mutations, according to the National Cancer Institute. Other types of gene mutations are CDKN2A, NRAS, NF1 and C-KIT.
3. Moles
Moles are not symptoms of skin cancer. But moles may develop into melanoma if the number increases. It is better to seek help if you notice new moles or any changes in the existing moles.
4. Weak Immune System
Medications and treatments for other health issues can weaken your immune system and you will be more susceptible to skin cancer. The potency of your immune system will be compromised if you have undergone chemotherapeutic treatment, have an autoimmune disorder that weakens your immune system, or are on certain drugs that impact your immune system.
Types of Skin Cancer
The different types of skin cancer are:
1. Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell cancer targets areas of the skin like the face, hands, arms, legs, lips, ears, and bald patches on the scalp that are exposed to the sun. One of the most common types of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. It develops slowly and is not fatal as it does not spread to other parts of the body.
2. Melanoma
Melanoma can appear anywhere on your body. It can build on your internal organs as well as your eyes. Melanoma normally appears on the upper back of men and on the legs of women. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer as it can spread widely and other parts of your body can contract it as well.
Be wary of bruises or injuries on the skin that can develop into non-melanoma skin cancer – they surface as little scaly, red spots, or tan on regions of the skin that are exposed to the sun such as the face or back of the hands.
If you notice a mole or a bruise that is bothersome, you should visit a dermatologist. The mole or the lesion will be analysed further to come to a conclusion.
3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is most typically found on sun-exposed skin such as your hands, arms, face, legs, jaws, ears, and even bald patches on the top of your head. This type can also develop in the genitals as well as mucous membranes.
4. Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma is an uncommon type of skin cancer that originates at the bottom of the epidermis, your skin’s top layer. This cancer begins in Merkel cells, which have characteristics of nerve cells and hormone-producing cells and are located extremely close to nerve endings in your skin. The probability of spreading to other regions is more in Merkel cell skin cancer compared to squamous or basal cell skin cancer.
5. Kaposi Sarcoma
Rare cancer, Kaposi Sarcoma affects people with impaired immune systems, those with HIV/AIDS, and those on immunosuppressive medicines who have had a bone marrow or an organ transplant.
6. Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
DFSP affects the middle layer of your skin, the dermis. Growth of this type of cancer is slow, spread is rare, and survival is high.
7. Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma
Cancer of the sebaceous glands usually appears on the eyelid as the number of sebaceous glands is more around this area.
Skin Cancer Symptoms
There are various types of skin cancer and the symptoms are unique to each type.
1. Basal Cell Carcinoma
- A tiny waxy, pearly, or smooth bump on the ears, neck, and face
- Skin areas that appear like scars
- A flat, red/brown or pink-coloured bruise on the arms, legs, as well as trunk
- Crust sores that have a depression in the centre or often bleed
2. Melanoma
- Change in the size or colour of a mole or a mole that bleeds
- A brown bump or patch
- Asymmetry in the shape of the mole
- Diameter of the mole larger than 6 mm
- Irregular-shaped or blurry moles
3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- A red or firm pink nodule
- A scaly and rough bruise that might bleed, itch, or turn crusty
4. Merkel Cell Carcinoma
- A tiny purplish or reddish lump on skin areas exposed to the sun
- Fast-growing lumps that sometimes surface as sores or ulcers
5. Kaposi Sarcoma
- Pink, red, purple, blue or black bumpy or flat patches on your face, arms, and legs
- Lesions can appear in your nose, throat, and mouth as well
6. Dermatofibrosarcoma
- Birthmark-like appearance in children and infants
- A brown, pink, brown or purple scar-like rough raised plaque or bump on your skin
7. Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma
- A painless firm, round, lump, or bump on or on the inside of your lower or upper eyelid
Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer treatment is determined by the location, size, type, and stage of cancer. Based on these factors, any of the following treatments are recommended:
- Excisional surgery: This surgery involves removing the tumour along with some healthy skin around it too.
- Cryosurgery: Skin cancer is frozen using liquid nitrogen. After therapy, the dead cells dissolve. This approach can be used to treat actinic keratosis i.e., precancerous skin lesions, as well as another minor, early malignancies localised to the top layer of the skin.
- Mohs surgery: This procedure involves removing the growth layer after layer. Each layer is checked with the help of a microscope until there are no visible irregular cells.
- Electrodesiccation and curettage: The cancer cells are scraped with a long spoon-shaped blade and the residual cells are burnt using an electric needle.
- Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy: In this procedure, anticancer medication is applied topically, given orally or through intravenous injections depending on the stage of cancer.
- Radiation: Energy beams that are highly powerful are used to destroy cancer cells.
- Photodynamic therapy: Drugs and laser light are used in this procedure to kill cancer cells.
- Biological therapy: Your immune system is stimulated to combat cancer cells with biological treatments.
Conclusion
Exposure to UV rays is one of the major causes of skin cancer. Though skin cancer is common, it can turn out to be dangerous. It is curable if detected early. If you feel the moles or bruises on your skin are bothersome, see a dermatologist immediately for further analysis.
Though risk factors like genetic mutations cannot be avoided, you can still take precautions like wearing proper gear while setting out in the sun, using sunscreen lotions, etc. to prevent the onset of skin cancer.
