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Last Updated: Aug 6th, 2008 - 09:50:39 |
Skin color and exposure to sunlight can affect the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis.
Risk factors for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma include the following:
What is Skin Cancer?
Cancer develops when DNA, the molecule found in cells that encodes genetic information, becomes damaged and the body cannot repair the damage. These damaged cells begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. When this occurs in the skin, skin cancer develops. As the damaged cells multiply, they form a tumor. Since skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis, the outermost layers of skin, a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages.
Dry skin
Few things are more beautiful than healthy human skin. And few things are more burdened by symbolism or more wrapped up with people's identities. Qualities people attribute to skin ¡ª sensuality, youthfulness, vitality, beauty, even goodness ¡ª are also qualities they see in themselves. That skin often seems the outer reflection of the inner being may explain, at least in part, why problem skin is so distressing and why Americans spend billions of dollars a year on moisturizers and other cosmetics.
Learning About Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. An estimated 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. The most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States.
Studies Offer Important Advances in Treating Chronic Skin Ulcers
Chronic skin wounds, like the one that contributed to the death of actor Christopher Reeve, are a far-too-common problem in people with diabetes, circulatory problems or, in Reeve’s case, paralysis due to injuries or disease.
Skin Cancer (PDQ®): Prevention
Doctors cannot always explain why one person gets cancer and another does not. However, scientists have studied general patterns of cancer in the population to learn what things around us and what things we do in our lives may increase our chance of developing cancer.
What You Need to Know about Skin Cancer
This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet has important information about skin cancer.* Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in this country. About one million Americans develop skin cancer each year.
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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