4 Causes of Skin Cancer You Probably Didn't Know

Skin cancer is an extremely common disease that very few people talk or cares about. When you see changes in your skin, what first comes to mind? An allergic reaction, a negative response to some products you might be using, changes in the weather, genetics—anything but a cancer scare.

Not to say that you should be paranoid, but you shouldn’t brush off any signs of stress that your skin is giving you. According to Cancer Council Australia, 2 to 3 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70. Skin cancer accounts for 80% of yearly cancer cases in Australia.

The figures get even worse, as there are said to be more than 1 million skin cancer patient consultations every year, figures that are double or even triple those in the UK, US, and Canada.

That is why routine checkup should be part of your schedule if you live anywhere under the sun! Are you wondering where to go for checkups? Visit Tweed city family practice doctors to get your skin checked.

What is skin cancer?

When someone has skin cancer, it means that their cells are growing abnormally. There are two major types of skin cancer. These are:

Non-melanoma skin cancer : This is the most common type of skin cancer in Australia. It develops on the outermost layer of the skin and is not life-threatening.

Symptoms include a lump or patch on the skin that stays on for months or years. Non-melanoma skin cancer mostly develops in the most exposed areas of the skin such as the face, back, shoulders, and neck.

If you develop a skin lump or patch that doesn’t heal in a month, it is best to see a doctor.

Melanoma skin cancer : This type of skin cancer is the most aggressive, yet the rarest, only accounting for 2% of all skin cancers. It is also the one that results in most deaths.

It occurs in body parts that have been excessively exposed to the sun. One major symptom of melanoma skin cancer is moles that change color, size, or shape. Another symptom is itching and bleeding.

Causes of skin cancer

I bet you already know that excessive exposure to the sun causes skin cancer. Even short but regular sun sessions of extreme ultraviolet rays can get you sick. Important to note is that areas that are not very much exposed to the sun such as underarms can also suffer skin cancer.

So, what are the other causes of skin cancer? Here are 4 of them:

1.A childhood of tanning : Apparently, history can come back to haunt you. If you tanned your skin while you were younger, you run a higher risk of developing skin cancer during adulthood.

Tanning salons are also a future nightmare. If you haven’t started darkening your skin in these salons, please do not go there.

As opposed to what many people think, tanning beds are no safer than the sun. One tanning session can increase your risk of getting melanoma by 20%, with the chances of getting other types of cancers being higher than that.

2.Atypical moles : Atypical or unusual irregularly shaped moles, what is commonly called dysplastic naevi in medical terms. These moles are known to be are risk factors for cancer. They are more likely to turn to cancer, although most do not.

How can you tell the differences between a typical and atypical mole?

Atypical moles have a width of more than 5 mm and ca have a mixture of colors including black, brown, white, and pink.

Typical moles have rounded even edges, one color, and a width of less than 5mm. They also do not change in size, color, and shape.

If you have any type of mole, especially an atypical one, you should have a doctor examine it to rule out cancer.

3.Low immunity : A depressed immunity, either because of old age or pre-existing illnesses increases your risk of getting a skin cancer infection.

If you have low immunity, avoid the sun as much as possible.

4.A family history of skin cancer : Unfortunately, most cancers are genetic and skin cancer is no exception. If you have a first degree relative with skin cancer, you are also at high risk. You should go for routine checkups especially if you notice abnormal developments on your skin.

If you have also had a previous case of any type of skin cancer, you are also at high risk, so it is best to stay away from the sun.

Final words

The proper use of sunscreen can help reduce your chances of developing skin cancer. If you are at high risk, ensure you use your sunscreen daily and regularly. Even when you wear sunscreen, it is best to keep off the sun lower the cancer risk even further.