Five signs of skin cancer

While the sun does have certain healing and restorative properties, it also generates ultraviolet radiation, which is the primary cause of skin cancer in humans. Though this ultraviolet radiation, also known as UV, is invisible, it is also what causes suntans, premature wrinkling, benign tumours, sunspots, and painful sunburns on the skin. Long-term sun exposure doesn't only cause unsightly damage to the skin, but it can also cause skin cancer. Simulating the sun, by using tanning beds, is just as harmful to the skin as the same UV light that causes harm is also present in tanning beds.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and, while this type of cancer can also be hereditary, UV rays are a large contributing factor in the development of skin cancer in those that do not have a genetic predisposition to it. Those at the highest risk for skin cancer are:

• People who have already had skin cancer.
• Very fair skinned individuals who are prone to sunburns and freckling from the sun.
• People who work outdoors or who spend large amounts of time outside for other reasons.
• People who live in geographic areas that are more exposed to the sun.

Five of the main signs of skin cancer include:

1. A sore that doesn't heal
2. The appearance of a new growth on the skin
3. A change in a preexisting skin growth
4. A change in the skin surrounding a growth (redness, peeling, or any other unusual change)
5. Swollen lymph nodes

As skin cancer advances, other signs may include skin graying, unintended weight loss, headaches, a chronic cough, or seizures. It is important that anyone experiencing any of these symptoms and who has had excessive UV exposure, previous bouts with skin cancer or who has a genetic risk factor for skin cancer, immediately seek the advice of a medical professional to properly assess the symptoms and screen for cancer.
Basal cell carcinomas, the most common, but least serious type of skin cancer, often appear on the parts of the body that get the most sun or UV exposure. These areas include the face, chest, neck, and upper back. Squamous cell carcinomas, the more serious type of skin cancer that also spreads to other parts of the body, also commonly appear on these parts of the body, but appear to be inflamed, feel tender or sore to the touch and are sometimes present in the form of a scaly-type growth. Some squamous cell carcinomas may repeatedly open up and bleed, and appear to never completely heal. Malignant melanomas typically form on parts of the body that don't get consistent sun exposure, but that may get intense sun exposure periodically. Malignant melanomas present as a freckle or a mole type growth and have a visible, but uneven, border outlining the growth. These types are often brown and black, but may also have areas of other colours such as red, blue, or white. These melanomas also bleed at times.

Anyone hoping to avoid skin cancer is advised to avoid constant sun exposure and to apply proper sun protection at times when exposure is unavoidable. People that live in geographic locations that get large amounts of sunshine are advised to wear some form of sun protection daily. Skin cancer is not entirely avoidable for some, but for others it is a highly preventable form of cancer and taking simple steps like these can go a long way in making sure one doesn't develop a dangerous skin cancer.