Protecting Yourself Against Skin Cancer
Please Bookmark:        |
Your skin is made up of two layers; the top layer is called the epidermis, this is mostly made up of flat cells, these are called squamous cells. Underneath the squamous cells in the deepest part of the epidermis are round cells, these are called basal cells. Located in the lower part of the epidermis are cells called melanocytes, these are what produces the colour or pigment of your skin.
The bottom layer of your skin is called the dermis, this contains the blood vessels, lymph vessels and glands. It is the glands that produce the sweat which helps to keep your body cool. Other glands in the dermis produces sebum, this is am oily substance that helps to keep your skin from drying out, the sweat and sebum reach the surface of the skin through the pores, the tiny openings that exist all over your skin.
Most of know that the sun that we all crave is one of the greatest dangers to the risk of getting skin cancer. UV rays can start damaging the skin at an early age if the child is not protected correctly.
Risk factors that increase the chances of skin cancer are Ultra Violet Radiation these come from the sun, Sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.
The skin is damaged by the sun starting at an early age and skin cancer usually occurs after the age of fifty. It is not contagious so you cannot catch it from another person.
Everyone is affected by UV radiation but people with fair skin that freckles or red or blonde hair and freckles are at greater risk.
Even people who tan easily are at risk of skin cancer.
Skin cancer begins in the cells, normally the cells grow and divide to form new cells, each day the cells die and new cells replace them.
This process changes when new cells form which are not needed and the old cells remain alive instead of dying, these excess cells form into a mass called a growth or tumour.
This may not necessarily be skin cancer as the growth or tumour may be benign, this means it is not life threatening. Usually benign growths can be removed without growing back.
Malignant growths are more serious than benign growths, they can be life threatening, although the two most common types of skin cancer only cause about one death in a thousand.
Malignant growths can be removed but they sometimes grow back, they can also spread to other parts of the body,the spread of cancer is called metastasis.
Skin cancers are named after the type of cells that are attacked, the two most common are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, they usually form on the head, face, hands, neck and arms.these are the areas that are most exposed to the sun but skin cancer can occur anywhere.
Basal cell skin cancer grows slowly usually on areas of the skin that has been exposed more to the sun, it mostly affects the face and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Squamous cell skin cancer also occurs on parts of the skin that has been exposed to the sun but it may also appear on parts of the body that not been exposed. Squamous cancer can sometimes spread to the lymphnodes and organs on the inside of the body.
To prevent skin cancer you must protect yourselves and your children from the sun, you should also protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow and ice. UV radiation can penetrate through light clothing, windshields, windows and clouds.
Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and long pants of tightly woven fabrics, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses that absorb UV.
Always use sunscreen lotions, sunscreens may help to prevent skin cancer, use a sun protecton factor of at least 15 and give the sunlamps and tanning booths a miss.