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by: AdrianFletcher
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Skin cancers develop when the body is exposed to too much ultraviolet radiation (UV rays). Some of the DNA in the skin cells that are exposed to UV rays begin to mutate. They become known as oncogenes that instruct the cell to grow haphazardly.

Two of the main problems with preventing and treating cancer is that it is not always clear what the external environmental condition is that causes the cancer and being able to detect the tumor growth before it becomes hard to treat. In the case of skin cancer it is generally agreed that exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) is the environmental condition. And in most cases, the cancer is on the surface of the skin so can be detected quickly. The most common form of UV rays that people are exposed to are in sunlight.

However, some people can be exposed to sunlight more than others and never appear to develop skin cancers. It seems that some people are more sensitive to the ultraviolet radiation than others (although too much exposure to the sun will result in skin cancer for most people eventually). This is true and is based on the amount of melanin in the body. Melanin is the body's natural defense against the sun. It turns the skin brown as a way prevent it from burning. This is the tan that many people cultivate.

People who have less melanin will have paler skin. This often means that the skin will not brown but go red in the sun. It will also burn if they spend too much time in the sun or don't protect their skin. Sunburn is obviously painful but it also indicates that the skin has been exposed to too much UV rays. It is the best way to develop cancerous growths on the skin. People with fair or red hair or light colored eyes are also sensitive to the sun.

Even if you do not have a fair complexion, you may still be susceptible to developing skin cancer if your family has a history of developing the disease.

The effects of skin cancer vary depending on the type of carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It is normally found on areas of the body directly exposed to the sun. It is generally a mark or spot on the skin that could be brown or red. In most cases it will not spread from the original location.

Squamous cell carcinoma is also found on parts of the body that come into contact with sunlight. This form of skin cancer is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma but it generally only spreads to the surrounding skin cells. Often the blemish or mark will look brown or red. This mark will get bigger over time as more cells become cancerous. It can also become scaly and develop scabs.

Melanoma is the third form of skin cancer. It is rare but potentially serious. It doesn't always appear on areas of the body directly exposed to sunlight but can be in unusual places, like the feet, that may rarely come into contact with sunlight. Again, it might look like a red or brown blemish or spot initially. As it develops it may develop into a lump under the skin.

Of the three forms of skin cancer, melanoma is most likely to be malignant. This means it can grow at an uncontrollable rate and spread to other parts of the body. When this occurs it can become invasive, in that it will grow through other tissues or organs destroying them in the process. Even if it does not destroy organs, the melanoma can become so large that it prevents the organs from functioning properly.

If melanoma metastasizes throughout the body, treating it becomes extremely difficult thus early detection is key to melanoma treatment.

Limiting your exposure to sunlight and other forms of ultraviolet radiation is the best preventative care you can take. Getting your skin checked out from time to time by your doctor is also a good idea. This is especially good advice if you notice any new or unusual moles or spots on your skin. Or if these lesions appear to have changed in any way.

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Get more information on common skin cancer symptoms and the types of skin cancers

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