The formation of unwanted cells in our bodies is well known to us. Cancer is considered one of the most malignant diseases we are aware of, largely due to its difficult cure and treatment. But as frightening as it may seem, there are many types of cancer that are treated and cured quite easily, especially when the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, as is the case with skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common types of the disease, not just among Brazilians, but worldwide, accounting for about 25% of all cancer cases diagnosed on the planet. This happens for various reasons, the main one being the lack of care some people take with sun exposure, which in the long run can end up negatively affecting health. Of course, there are several other factors besides the sun that cause skin cancer, but it is important to have this type of information to encourage reflection on our habits and routines.

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer can be described as any change in the skin cells of a person, which can spread to other parts of the body. Since the skin is the largest organ of the human body and any cell in this organ can originate a tumor, there are different types of skin cancer.

Characteristics of Skin Cancer

This type of tumor is usually characterized by skin eruptions, which can be benign or malignant, depending on their shape. Depending on the type of skin cancer, it can have a more reddish appearance, be larger or smaller, and even resemble a wound that seems not to heal. The tumors are visible since they are on the outside of the body, and often can itch and bleed, depending on the case.

Causes of Skin Cancer

It’s no coincidence that skin cancer is the most common type to appear in humans, and this becomes much clearer when we realize what the main causes of this disease are.

Main Causes

Undoubtedly, the main cause is sun exposure without proper protection, either from cumulative exposure over a lifetime or isolated episodes of very high sun exposure. But besides this factor, there are also others that can directly influence the development of this type of tumor, such as:

  • Smoking tobacco
  • Human Papillomavirus, HPV
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays
  • Wounds that do not heal

All these factors can cause the dreaded skin cancer, and depending on how it forms, it can appear in different types.

Types of Skin Cancer

Cases of skin cancer are usually grouped into two major groups: melanoma and non-melanoma, distinguished according to their structure.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of malignant tumor that can also affect several other parts of our body, from the eyes to the genitals and mucous regions. It can affect so many areas precisely because it is a tumor that has metastasis as its main characteristic, meaning it has the ability to spread and cause cancer in other regions of the body. For this reason, this is one of the most dangerous types of cancer known, with one of the highest mortality rates.

Non-melanoma

Within this type of cancer, there are two subgroups: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer found in people. This type of tumor develops slowly and rarely causes metastasis, however, if not properly treated, it can become deeper and reach other tissues, such as bones, for example. Squamous cell carcinoma, on the other hand, develops in the epidermis and is more easily treated, but if not properly treated, it can also cause metastasis.

How is Skin Cancer Treated?

Skin cancer treatment is not done in only one way and may depend on several factors, such as:

  • The type of skin cancer
  • If there is a risk of metastasis or if metastasis has already occurred
  • The person’s health condition
  • The condition of the person’s skin

All of these factors will help the dermatologist determine what the best procedure is. Usually, the doctor can resolve the problem with a surgery to remove the tumor and follow-up care to ensure that the disease does not reappear. There are cases where the person cannot have surgery, as occurs with many elderly people, for example, as well as cases where surgery alone is not enough for complete tumor removal. When this happens, each case should be independently analyzed by the doctor, who will determine the best procedure to be performed.

Risk Factors

There are several factors we should pay attention to when talking about skin cancer, especially those involving the sun. We can highlight as major risk factors for this disease:

  • Excessive sun exposure
  • Age and sex, as this type of cancer is much more common in adulthood and in men.
  • Family history
  • Skin characteristics, as people with very fair skin tend to be more sensitive to the sun and, consequently, are at higher risk

It is important to be aware of the factors that may trigger some type of skin cancer, although they are not determining, the causes of this disease are often related to them.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer?

The main tip to prevent skin cancer is, without a doubt, protection against the sun’s rays, both in the long and short term. Since we know that this is the main cause of the disease, we need to be mindful about using sunscreen, especially in the summer and in places where the body is more exposed, such as beaches and pools. But you should not only protect against the sun in these places. Whenever the weather is very clear and the skin could be exposed, it is important to be protected in some way, especially those with fairer skin, since they are at higher risk for developing this type of tumor. Cancer is a frightening disease and even though we know that many types of skin cancer have simple treatments and few risks, we tend to worry. The positive side is that with proper prevention, the chances of developing skin cancer decrease significantly. Even so, it is very important to see a doctor if you notice any change in your skin, as early treatment greatly increases the chances of a cure. See also: Most Common Skin Diseases in Women Photo: Unknown – National Cancer Institute