More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed in United States annually. Isn’t this a scary figure? Though scary, it is a fact and it means that 1 in 5 Americans will catch some type of skin cancer in the course of their lifetime. Skin cancer maybe one of the commonest forms of cancer but it is also one of the most preventable forms. The major risk factor behind all types of skin cancer is exposure to ultra-violet radiations. Prevent this cause and you may be able to avoid skin cancer.

There are basically three types of skin cancer. They are as follows:

1. Basal cell carcinoma: this is the commonest types of skin cancer that develops in the deepest layer of epidermis. Though these cancers almost never spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, they deeply invade the surrounding tissue.

Etiological factors: Exposure to sun is the most potent causative factor behind basal cell carcinoma. There are however certain risk factors that aggravate the effects of sun exposure for occurrence of cancer. The risk factors are:

* Fair skin- the blondes are more affected
* Advancing age- even those people who have had average ultra-violet rays’ exposure like during vacations in early years of life are at risk of developing basal cell carcinoma as they grow older. Therefore, despite the fact that skin cancer may only be experienced after 50 years of age, preventive care should start from childhood.
* Dwelling: In United States, people living in certain areas are more susceptible to skin cancers. For example, those living in Texas are at high risk due to the increased strength of sun there.
* Tanning Booths: Despite being a popular leisure activity for many youths across the world, tanning booths are said to result in more skin cancers due to heavy UV exposure.
* Radiation given during cancer treatment can also result in skin cancers

Signs and diagnosis: A biopsy of the affected area that may just look like a pearly white swelling is necessary for an accurate diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma. The area is usually covered by blood vessels known as telangiectasia. Some cancer nodes may look shiny and other dark due to melanin pigmentation. The basal cell carcinoma grows very slowly often on the back or chest and may not be diagnosed accurately unless a biopsy is done.

Treatment: As this type of skin cancer rarely spreads much, the prognosis of any type of treatment is usually good. The doctors may perform simple surgical excision or may opt for chemotherapy and radiation. If it is very much localized and small, curettage and desiccation can be done preferably by dermatologists. Some doctors opt for medicinal creams and agents that attack localized cancer cells and yield good results aesthetically. Efudex and Pluroflex are popular creams used locally for basal cell carcinoma.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma: the squamous cells line the tissue forming surface of the skin, the hollow organs of the body, and respiratory and digestive tracts. The squamous cell carcinoma begins in these thin and flat cells.

The risk factors: Even more than in basal cell carcinoma, sun exposure plays a significant role in developing squamous cell carcinoma. As in the earlier type, light skin and increasing age are additional risk factors. It has been observed that women or men whose hair cover their ears develop this type of cancer much less frequently than those with exposed ears.

Apart from sun exposure, exposure to x-rays, heat, hydrocarbons, and arsenic may result in squamous cell carcinoma. Immuno-compromised individuals like HIV positive people may develop such cancers much more easily, as might those infected with human papilloma virus (HPV).

There are different forms of squamous cell carcinoma:

* Actinic (solar) keratoses: it is the earliest form of squamous cell carcinoma. The scalp, face, hands, and ears are more affected than other parts of the body. Their appearance is like red rough bumps on a sun-damaged skin. On the surface, it may look small, but may have invaded deeply and will give rise to excruciating pain to the sufferer.
* Keratocanthoma: this is a rapidly growing squamous cell carcinoma, which forms a mound with a crater in the center.
* Bowen’s disease: it is the most superficial scaly patch on the trunk or the extremities due to sun exposure
* Actinic cheilitis: red lips and blistered appearance may be actinic cheilitis, in which the cancer is not deep
* Bowenoid papulosis: these are just like genital warts and are pretty superficial

Earlier diagnosis important:

Unlike basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas may metastasize to other body parts or organs. Therefore, early diagnosis in case of squamous cell carcinoma is extremely important to prevent widespread damage. Usually a punch biopsy of the affected region is sufficient to diagnose the cancer.

Treatment: The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma is similar to that of basal cell carcinoma.

3. Melanoma: This is the most dangerous form of skin cancers but it rarely occurs without prior warning signs.. If diagnosed and treated early, the prognosis of melanoma is very good but if metastasis occurs to distant organs, the cancer may prove fatal. When the melanocytes (pigment cells) in the skin become malignant, melanoma is formed. Cutaneous melanoma, ocular or intra-ocular melanoma are some of its types.

Risk factors of melanoma:

Even though melanoma usually occurs mostly in the elderly population, no age group is totally risk free. Head, neck, and trunk are the commonest areas where melanoma occurs. In women, lower legs are the areas affected mostly by melanoma. Fair skinned persons are again at more risk of developing melanoma than dark-skinned people. Through lymphatic system, the melanoma may spread to other organs and it is then termed as metastatic melanoma. Dysplastic nevi (abnormal moles), ordinary moles, and freckles can also turn into melanoma in some people. Therefore, the person who has big numbers of moles is at a higher risk of developing melanoma. Severe sunburns and reduced immunity due to HIV infection are also some of the other risk factors.

Diagnosis: though a doctor may diagnose melanoma clinically, a biopsy is a must for definitive diagnosis. After the diagnosis is confirmed, appropriate staging of melanoma is done to identify the stage at which the cancer is presently growing This is dependent upon the area of invasion. This helps in sketching the perfect treatment plan.

Treatment: Surgery, chemotherapy, biological therapy, and/or radiation are usually the preferred modes of treating melanoma. The early the melanoma is diagnosed and treated, the better is the result.