What Is Skin Cancer?

Cellular reproduction is what allows us to live, grow, and remain healthy over time. The individual cells which make up every part of our bodies are designed to live, reproduce, and die, allowing us the benefit of having fresh, fully functional cells maintaining our bodies in working condition. A side effect of this process is that sometimes our cells mutate and multiply uncontrollably or do not die when they should. Groups of cells which act in this way form structures which are known as growths if they are benign, or cancer if they are malignant. Mutation can be caused by natural decay or outside factors. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is associated with the mutation of skin cells. The difference between what is a benign growth and what is skin cancer can only be determined by a doctor.

Some types of skin cancer do look like something you should see a doctor about. A cancerous tumor on the skin can appear as a lump, rash or wound that does not heal properly. These symptoms should not be ignored, and a doctor should be consulted, because these can be signs of skin cancer.

These symptoms are associated with squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, two of the three most common types of skin cancer. The top layer of the skin, our bodies’ first protection against outside elements, is a layer of flat, round cells called squamous cells. Underneath this layer are basal cells, which can also become cancerous.

Moles are benign, noncancerous growths which are commonplace. Most people have between 10 and 40 of them in areas which are exposed to sunlight, such as the back, arms, and face. The technical term for a mole is a nevus. Nevi are formed when melanocytes, which pigment the skin, mutate and reproduce to form a growth. Melanocytes lie between the epidermis, the basal and squamous cells which make up the top layer of the skin, and the dermis, which contains sweat glands and hair follicles. When melanocytes turn cancerous, the condition is called melanoma.

Early detection is key to successfully curing skin cancer. You need to check your skin for abnormalities, and pay special attention to any dysplastic nevi, or irregularly shaped moles. These should be watched for changes in size, color, shape, texture, or the condition of the surrounding skin. If new dysplastic nevi form, your doctor may want to simply remove them and test them for cancer. If they turn out to be cancerous, the doctor may recommend further treatment but the biopsy may have removed all cancer tissue. If a tumor is allowed to metastasize, cancerous cells can move to other parts of the body and continue to reproduce, forming new tumors.

You can reduce your risk of contracting skin cancer by avoiding exposure to UV radiation. Wear protective clothing or sunscreen in the sun, avoid sunburns and do not excessively tan, and never use tanning beds. Recent studies show tanning bed users are more likely to develop melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

If you have never done a self-examination of your skin and suspect you may have skin cancer, you should see your doctor and determine what is skin cancer and what is a normal growth, mole, or other condition. Then you can perform regular self-examinations, and see a doctor if you experience any changes.

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