What are the
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Skin Cancer Types
Melanomas
A melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes - the cell that makes the brown pigment that gives its colour.
They account for about 5% of all cancers of the skin, and are the types of skin cancer that is most likely to be fatal. WHO reported approximately 130,000 malignant melanomas occur globally each year.
This is a very severe cancer that can develop many years after excessive exposure to the sun. Is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of melanocytes. It may suddenly appear without warning, but can also develop from or near a mole.
Melanoma has also been linked to excessive sun exposure in the first 10 to 18 years of life. Other possible causes include genetic factors and immune system deficiencies.
Non-melanomas
Non-melanomas includes:
- basal cell skin cancer
- squamous cell skin cancer
They are the most common of all the skin cancers. They are called non-melanomas because they develop from the skin cells other than melanocytes. These cancers are found mainly on sun-exposed parts of the body, and their occurrence is related to lifetime sun exposure.
Between 2 and 3 million non-melanoma cancers of the skin are diagnosed each year according to a WHO report. About 3 out of 4 are basal cell cancer and about 2 out of 10 are squamous cell cancer.
How Skin Cancer is Formed?
All skin cancer begins in cells - the building blocks that make up the skin. Normally skin cells grow and divide to form new cells. Every day skin cells grow old and die. New cells take their place.Sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the skin does not need them and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. This tumor can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancerous).
Doctors cannot always explain why one person develops skin cancer and another does not.
Preventive Health Guide - A unique guide to information on nutrition and preventive health for diabetes, cancer prevention, chronic degenerative diseases and much more.
Take a QUIZ! I cannot get skin cancer because my routine (work, drive to work, indoor hobbies and vacations) does not include outdoor activities. TRUE or FALSE?The answer is FALSE. Even brief sun exposures all year round can add up to significant damage for people with fair skin. And the ultraviolet rays do pass through car windows.
Related Articles
Early signs and symptoms of skin cancer.
All the facts about skin cancer.
What causes skin cancer?
Actinic keratosis also known as solar keratosis is the most common precancer.
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