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Skin Cancer Essay

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Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer and it can be cause by exposure to sunlight. Skin cancer can be defined as an abnormal growth of skin cells. It most often develops on areas of the skin exposed to the sun’s rays. Skin cancer affects people of all colors and races, although those with light skin who sunburn easily have a higher risk. The incidence of skin cancers is rapidly increasing. There are different types of skin cancers which include Actinic keratoses, Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, Melanoma cancer, and Merkel cell carcinoma.
Actinic keratoses (AK): These are dry, scaly patches or spots that are precancerous growths. They occur in people who usually have fair skin color. Most Actinic keratoses patients develop their first cancer after 40 years of age because Actinic keratosis tends to develop after years of sun exposure. It usually develops on the skin that gets lots of sun exposure like the head, neck, hands, and forearms. Actinic keratosis can progress to a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, and therefore treatment is very critical. …show more content…

Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes. Other names for this cancer include malignant melanoma and cutaneous melanoma. Most melanoma cells still make melanin, so melanoma tumors are usually brown or black. Melanoma frequently develops in a mole or suddenly appears as a new dark spot on the skin. But some melanomas do not make melanin and can appear pink, tan, or even white. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Knowing the warning signs of melanoma can help you find an early melanoma. These cancers develop from melanocytes, the pigment making cells of the skin. Melanocytes can also form benign (non-cancerous) growths which is also referred to as moles. Melanomas are much less common than basal and squamous cell cancers, but they are more likely to grow and spread if left

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