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When you think of vital organs, things like the heart, lungs and kidneys all come to mind. But the fact is that your skin is the largest and one of the most vital organs in the body. It protects your other organs from exposure and injury. The skin keeps water and other fluids in your body, secretes excess water and salt, regulates body temperature and is the main way that sensations of touch and pain are conveyed to the brain. Just like any other organ, the skin is extremely susceptible to cancer.
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When you develop skin cancer, the cancer cells destroy and then replace the normal, healthy cells that make up your skin tissue. They can overtake many different types of skin cells, but almost always originate somewhere near the surface.
Types of Skin Cancer:
Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The majority of skin cancer cases fall into these two categories. They are named after the cells which they form in- basal and squamous cells. Most of these occur in the areas of the skin that are constantly exposed to sun but rarely covered with sunblock- like the neck, face, scalp, ears, lips and the backs of hands. They rarely spread to other parts of the body.
Basal Cell Carcinoma can spread into normal tissue and sometimes even deeper into the muscles or bones. It will also affect the appearance of the skin. Squamous Cell Carcinoma grows more slowly and typically affects areas of skin that are already injured or diseased. Squamous cells can spread to other normal tissues and may also affect the appearance of the skin.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. A Melanoma is a malignant tumor. Melanoma forms in melanocytes (these are the cells which produce melanin- the substance that gives our skin its color). If you catch it before it spreads beyond the outermost layer of skin, Melanoma is almost 100% curable. Once it spreads further, though, it is much harder to cure and can be fatal.
Prevention:
Enjoying the sun safely is the most important step in reducing your risks of skin cancer. Here are some tips for keeping your skin healthy while out in the sun:
- From 10 am to 2 pm avoid direct sun. This is when it is strongest and most dangerous.
- Seek shade if you are going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time.
- Wear a shirt, preferable of a dark color or tight weave to block out more sun. There are also new shirts available that contain SPF.
- Use sunscreen all the time. “Accidental sunburns” can happen without your noticing. Anything under SPF 15 will not offer enough protection to your skin. Use sunscreen even on hazy or overcast days.
- Cover your head with a wide-brimmed hat, shading your face, ears, and neck. If you choose a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.
- Wear sunglasses. Make sure your pair has 99-100% UV absorption to protect your eyes.
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