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Skin Cancer
With thousands of new cases
diagnosed annually, skin cancer is the
most common form of cancer in the
United States. Although skin cancer is
extremely prevalent there is good
news! Skin cancer is rarely lethal, with
an extremely high recovery rate when
diagnosed early. Even more important,
because most types of skin cancer
have been linked to long-term sun
exposure, you can take steps to reduce
the likelihood that you will be
diagnosed with skin cancer. In this
animation, you will learn not only what
skin cancer is and how it develops, but
also what you can do to prevent it as
well as the treatment options available
to those who have been diagnosed.
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent actual surgical technique or results. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
treatment or care. Always seek the advice of a medical professional when you have a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking advice if you have read something in
this printout. Copyright © 2013, Understand.com, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
Skin Cancer Foundation
skincancer.org
Skin Cancer Introduction
With thousands of new cases diagnosed annually, skin cancer is
the most common form of cancer in the United States. Although
skin cancer is extremely prevalent there is good news! Skin cancer
is rarely lethal, with an extremely high recovery rate when
diagnosed early. Even more important, because most types of skin
cancer have been linked to long-term sun exposure, you can take
steps to reduce the likelihood that you will be diagnosed with skin
cancer. In this animation, you will learn not only what skin cancer
is and how it develops, but also what you can do to prevent it as
well as the treatment options available to those who have been
diagnosed.
What is Cancer?
The cells in your body continuously divide, or proliferate, in order
to grow as well as repair or replace damaged cells in the body.
Cell division is a highly regulated process. So what regulates these
cells? Specific genes, which are coded in your DNA, are
responsible for controlling cell division by communicating when to
start and stop dividing. If the DNA that makes up these genes is
damaged, or mutated, and not repaired properly, the genes may
not function correctly. In some cases, DNA damage to a gene that
controls cell division may cause a cell to divide uncontrollably.
When this happens, a tumor develops. It is important to realize that
not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors are generally
localized to a specific area and do not invade surrounding tissue.
In contrast, cancerous tumors invade surrounding tissues and can
metastasize, or spread, to other areas of the body.
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent actual surgical technique or results. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
treatment or care. Always seek the advice of a medical professional when you have a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking advice if you have read something in
this printout. Copyright © 2013, Understand.com, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
Skin Cancer Foundation
skincancer.org
What Causes Skin Cancer?
Now that you have a general idea of what cancer is and what
causes it, let’s take a look at how skin cancer develops. Like other
types of cancer, skin cancer often starts with DNA damage. DNA
damage can be caused by many different carcinogens, but UV
radiation from the sun causes most of the damage that eventually
leads to skin cancer. Damage that occurs due to occasional sun
exposure is usually repaired by built-in DNA repair mechanisms in
your body. But, long-term sun exposure can lead to DNA damage
that is not repaired. If this damage occurs in genes that are
responsible for controlling the division of skin cells, these cells may
begin to divide uncontrollably, which can result in skin cancer.
Where Does Skin Cancer Occur?
Skin cancer typically affects three different types of cells in the
epidermis, known squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes.
Squamous cells are cells that have flattened as they progress from
the basal cell layer toward the skin’s surface, where they are shed.
Basal cells are the bottommost epidermal cells that lie along the
junction between the epidermis and dermis. As these cells divide,
they produce new cells that eventually become squamous cells,
which constantly replace the dead skin cells that are shed at the
skin’s surface. Melanocytes are a special type of cell located in the
basal layer of the epidermis. These cells are responsible for
producing melanin, or pigment, which gives your skin and hair its
color.
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent actual surgical technique or results. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
treatment or care. Always seek the advice of a medical professional when you have a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking advice if you have read something in
this printout. Copyright © 2013, Understand.com, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
Skin Cancer Foundation
skincancer.org
Actinic Keratosis
There are often warning signs that can indicate that you are at risk
for developing skin cancer. One of these signs is the development
of actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis may be difficult to distinguish
from skin cancer, but is typically easily treated if diagnosed early.
Most common in people who are forty or older, actinic keratoses
are generally caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet light from
the sun. Ultraviolet light damages epidermal skin cells, which
causes them to develop abnormal characteristics. While these
changes do not cause the cells to become cancerous, they are
considered precursors to skin cancer. Much like skin cancer,
actinic keratoses generally develop in areas that have been
exposed to large amounts of sun such as the face, neck, ears, lips,
forearms, and hands. Actinic keratoses appear as rough, callous
lesions, and vary in color from light beige tones to dark brown and
range in size from a small dot to approximately an inch in
diameter.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Accounting for more than eighty percent of diagnosed cases in the
United States, basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of
skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma originates in basal cells and
typically does not grow very rapidly. Basal cell carcinoma tumors
usually grow in a localized area and do not spread to other areas
of the body. However, early detection and treatment will prevent
the tumor from spreading into surrounding tissue and causing
more damage. Scientists believe that this form of cancer is
primarily caused by long-term sun exposure; therefore it most
commonly occurs on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears,
head, and chest. Basal cell carcinomas can take on a variety of
different forms, appearing as shiny bumps, wounds that will not
heal, or even red, irritated growths.
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent actual surgical technique or results. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
treatment or care. Always seek the advice of a medical professional when you have a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking advice if you have read something in
this printout. Copyright © 2013, Understand.com, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
Skin Cancer Foundation
skincancer.org
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin
cancer in the United States, accounting for less than twenty
percent of skin cancer diagnoses. Squamous cell carcinoma
originates in squamous cells, and like basal cell carcinoma has
been linked to long-term, cumulative sun exposure. This type of
cancer is more likely to metastasize, or spread, to other areas of
the body through the lymph nodes or bloodstream than basal cell
carcinoma, making it more difficult to treat and possibly lethal.
However, with early detection, treatments are typically very
successful. Like basal cell carcinoma, this form of cancer is most
commonly found on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears,
head, and chest. Approximately one inch in diameter, squamous
cell carcinoma can look like a red, scaly lesion, wart-like bump, or
a wound that does not heal.
Melanoma
Although melanoma accounts for fewer than five percent of the
skin cancer diagnoses, it is the most lethal form of skin cancer.
However, even this aggressive form of cancer can be treated
successfully if diagnosed early. Unlike non-melanoma skin
cancers, which are generally linked to the effects of long-term sun
exposure, melanoma has been associated with periods of intense
sun exposure such as sunburn. In addition, research has shown
that certain genetic variants can contribute to melanoma. This form
of skin cancer originates in melanocytes and can metastasize, or
spread, to other areas of the body, making it more lethal than other
types. Melanoma may first appear as a mole on the back, legs,
hands, fingers, soles of feet and toes, and the mucous membranes
that line the nose and mouth.
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent actual surgical technique or results. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
treatment or care. Always seek the advice of a medical professional when you have a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking advice if you have read something in
this printout. Copyright © 2013, Understand.com, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
Skin Cancer Foundation
skincancer.org
Prevention
Ultraviolet light plays a critical role in the development of skin
cancer, and therefore protecting yourself from the sun is the best
preventative step you can take. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure,
and protect yourself by covering up with long sleeved shirts, pants,
and wide brimmed hats when possible. If your skin will be
exposed, dermatologists recommend a SPF 15 or higher
sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB forms of
sunlight.
This content is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to represent actual surgical technique or results. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis,
treatment or care. Always seek the advice of a medical professional when you have a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking advice if you have read something in
this printout. Copyright © 2013, Understand.com, LLC, All Rights Reserved.
Skin Cancer Foundation