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Home | Disease & Illness | Skin Cancer Those cells that are healthy and comprise the body's tissue grow before dividing and replacing themselves. This is how the body grows, maintains its health and in good repair. However some of these cells can lose their ability to perform these tasks, limiting their growth and progress. They may divide themselves too rapidly or grow without organization. Some times too much tissue can be produced, resulting in tumors being produced. Tumors may be benign or malignant. Benign tumors do not lead to cancer. They do not extend to the rest of the body and are not life threatening. These type of tumors are usually removed via surgery and usually do not return. They are often more of a nuisance than a threat. Malignant tumors are those that will lead to cancer. These tumors invade and destroy the neighboring healthy tissues and organs, causing illness in the body. Malignant tumors can spread or "metastasize" to other organs and cause new tumors to grow throughout the body. The two main kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma. A carcinoma is the term used to describe a cancer that begins in the cells that cover or surround an organ. Over 90 percent of skin cancers in the United States are Basel cell carcinoma. This category of cancer grows slowly and rarely spreads to other areas, although it is crucial that all types of skin cancers are found and treated as early as possible to prevent them from invading and destroying the nearby tissues. Basel cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinomas are often referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer. A melanoma is another form of cancer that can occur in the skin, which begins in the melanocytes. Skin cancers presently account for the most common types of cancer in the United States. An estimated 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to be 65 years and older will develop skin cancer at least once in their lifetime. It's important to note, however, that people of any age and nationality can develop skin cancer. Fair-skinned, freckled people with red or blond hair and blue or light colored eyes are most risk of developing the disease. The sun's UV (ultraviolet) radiation is the most common cause of skin cancer. The sun creates two types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. Tanning booths and sun beds create artificial UV radiation, and will also cause skin cancer. Skin cancer affects a greater number of people living in certain areas of the world. Those who live under the hot Texan sun are particularly at risk. Skin cancer rates are also higher in Australia and South Africa, where people are exposed to excessive amounts of the sun's UV rays every day. Those living in these, and other areas where UV exposure is high, are more likely to develop skin cancer. Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
Keefe Figgatt is a writer for numerous great web sites, on health articles and alternative health themes.
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