According to research, cancer falls second on the list of causes of death in the US. Heart disease is the leading cause of death and may continue to dominate. This is because fewer people are smoking because they are aware of smoking-related cancers.
Other factors have contributed to the decline in cancer deaths, including successful surgeries and chemotherapy after surgery. Screening has also helped in the prevention and early detection of certain cancers. Today, scientists are well on finding a breakthrough in curing cancer.
Scientists are currently conducting human trials for a treatment that programs cell death in cancer cells. The therapy has only had minor side effects on end-stage cancer patients and has proven it may be successful.
What causes Skin Cancer?
The first step to protecting yourself from skin cancer is finding out what causes it. You might be surprised to find out that skin cancer is preventable. You can use products like sunscreen, which you can get online. So, what is skin cancer, and how is it caused?
Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells in the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. This abnormal growth is due to a mutation that stems from unrepaired DNA damage. These mutations then lead to the rapid multiplication of skin cells leading to malignant tumors.
Skin cancer stems from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning beds. There are some sources of high-energy UV rays, which are a form of ionizing radiation. The effects of this ionizing radiation cause damage to your DNA (genes) in cells, leading to mutations.
Long-term overexposure to UV rays results in premature aging and skin cancer. Sunburn is a temporary indicator of overexposure to UV rays. You can reduce overexposure using UV Skinz sun protective products to shield your skin.
Types of Skin Cancer
There are three common types of skin cancer you may be diagnosed with:
- basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
- squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Basal and squamous cell cancers begin in the basal and squamous layers of the skin. The most common type of cancer is basal cell carcinoma. It occurs in areas exposed to the sun, like your face and arms. The cancer is curable and only fatal in rare instances.
SCC is also found in areas exposed to the sun. It is also curable but can kill you if it is not detected early before it spreads. Melanomas, however, occur as moles in any area of the body. These are the most dangerous forms of cancer.
Melanomas are treatable but notorious for spreading to other areas of the body. They even spread to vital organs. Therefore, early detection is crucial to a patient’s survival.
Why you Should Protect Your Skin and Effective ways of doing it
Your skin is your first line of defense against your environment and bacteria. Your skin also plays the role of facilitating sweating and sensing your environment so you can react accordingly. You can even tell if you are healthy by how your skin looks and feels.
Therefore, you need to take care of it and protect it. There are many ways you can care for and protect your skin. You can begin by staying hydrated. This will help you avoid dry skin and keep it looking healthy. You should also practice good hygiene and get started with a regular skincare routine.
Don’t forget to protect your skin from harsh UV rays. There are several ways you can effectively protect your skin from skin cancer, including:
Avoiding indoor tanning
Steer clear of tanning beds, booths, and sunlamps. Indoor tanning exposes you to UV rays. Constant exposure to these UV rays may cause skin cancer and other diseases.
Stay in shades
Get a shade for when you are working outside. This will help you avoid overexposure to the sun.
Cover your skin
Cover your head, arms, and legs when you are outside to reduce the amount of sunshine on your skin. There are clothes for every activity. Wear long-sleeved swimming costumes or t-shirts while you are at the beach. Also, get a hat for your scalp and face for when you are out hiking.
Using UV protection clothes
Get clothes that either absorb or reflect UV rays away from your body. Unbleached cotton is a good choice of material because it contains lignin that naturally absorbs UV rays. You can also rely on soft silks and shiny polyester materials to reflect UV rays away from you.
Using Sunscreen
There is a broad range of products on the market to protect your skin from UV rays. You should use products that have a sun protection factor (SPF). Dermatologists recommend that you use products with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Conclusion
Scientists are working on a cure for cancers. However, cancer is still at the top of diseases that may kill you. There are three common types of skin cancer, and melanomas are the most dangerous. Early detection can help increase your chances of survival.
The best way to protect yourself from skin cancer is to avoid UV rays from the sun or indoor tanning. Wear protective clothing and work in shades when you are outdoors. Also, do not forget to protect your skin with sun protection creams.
FAQ about Skin Cancer
Which areas are commonly affected by skin cancer?
Skin cancer often starts in areas exposed to the sun. The rooms include measurements of your face like the scalp, mouth, lips and ears, your hands, legs, and chest
Who is at higher risk of getting skin cancer?
The answer varies. Men aged above 50 years are more likely to get skin cancer. However, the cancer rate in women below 50 years is higher in women than in men. Your occupation and recreation activities vary in these factors.
Is Skin Cancer treatable?
Yes. Most skin cancers are treatable before they get a chance to spread to other areas of the body.
What is the highest risk factor for skin cancer?
Exposure to UV rays. You are exposed to some UV rays when you spend time outdoors.
Do people with darker skin get skin cancer?
Yes. Dark-skinned people can get skin cancer. However, their chances of getting skin cancer are lower compared to fair-skinned people. This is because darker-skinned people have a protective pigment called melanin.
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