|
Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers.
Estimates vary on its occurrence, but it is estimated that approximately 500,000 Americans
develop skin cancer every year.
Prevention is the best defense against skin cancer. Early detection is
the surest way to a cure.
The principal cause of skin cancer is almost universally accepted by
medical experts to be overexposure to sunlight, especially when it results in sunburn and
blistering. Other less It important factors would include repeated medical and industrial
X-ray exposure, scarring from disease or burns, occupational exposure to such
compounds as coal and arsenic, and family history.
Prevention is a matter of guarding the skin against the known causes.
Since the sun and its ultraviolet rays would seem to be the principal culprit, the most
effective preventive method is to limit the exposure of the skin to harmful rays by
covering up and by the use of sunscreens with at least a 15 rating.
It is a simple routine to inspect your body for any skin changes.
Each of the skin cancers is depicted in the following pages and can be readily detected.
If, any growth, mole, sore or discoloration appears suddenly or begins to change, see your
dermatologist.
Fortunately, skin cancers are relatively easy to detect and most can be
cured. Even malignant melanoma, if caught in its early stages, can be treated
successfully.
There are three main forms of the disease.
 |
Basal cell
|
|
|
Squamous cell
|
|
|
Malignant Melanoma
|
|
