Skin Cancer Prevention
Significance of skin cancer
Skin cancer prevention
The skin protects the body against heat and light, injury, and infection. It
also helps regulate body temperature, stores water and fat, and produces vitamin D. The skin is the body’s largest organ and is made up of two main
layers: the outer epidermis and the inner dermis.
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Anatomy of the skin, showing the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. |
There are 3 types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (together referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer), and melanoma. The outer
layer of the skin is made up of squamous cells. Basal cells are found below
the squamous cells. Melanocytes are in the deepest layer of epidermis.
Melanoma develops from melanocytes.
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Anatomy of the skin, showing the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Melanocytes are in the layer of basal cells at the deepest part of the epidermis. |
Significance of skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the United States. Basal
cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (nonmelanoma skin cancer) are the
most common forms of skin cancer, but are easier to cure than melanoma. The number of new cases of skin cancer
appears to be increasing each year. The number of deaths due to skin cancer,
however, is fairly small.
Skin cancer prevention
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer (Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma):
Studies have suggested that reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation decreases the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Ultraviolet
radiation is a stream of invisible high-energy rays coming from the sun.
Artificial sources such as tanning booths and sunlamps also produce
ultraviolet radiation.
Sun exposure can be reduced by changing patterns of outdoor activities to
reduce time of exposure to high-intensity UV radiation (the sun is
strongest from 11 am to 3 pm), wearing protective clothing (such as
long sleeves and hats) when exposed to sunlight, and by using adequate
amounts of sufficiently protective sunscreen.
It is not known whether using sunscreen lowers the risk of either squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma.
People whose skin tans poorly or burns easily after sun exposure are
particularly susceptible to nonmelanoma skin cancer. These people in
particular may benefit by following prevention methods for nonmelanoma
skin cancer.
Melanoma:
It is not known if avoiding sunburns reduces a person's chance of developing melanoma skin cancer.
Sunburn can be avoided by changing patterns of outdoor activities to
reduce time of exposure to high-intensity UV radiation (the sun is
strongest from 11 am to 3 pm), wearing protective clothing (such as
long sleeves and hats) when exposed to sunlight, and using sunscreen.
Sunscreen is not a substitute for avoidance of sun exposure.
People whose skin tans poorly or who have a large number of abnormal moles
may have an increased risk of developing melanoma skin cancer. These
people in particular may benefit by following prevention methods for
melanoma.
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