Skin cancer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Skin cancer - Essay Example This assignment will focus on signs, causes, types, stages, prevention, and treatment of skin cancer. Sun exposure is the major cause of skin cancer (Nouri 22). It begins in the skins top layer that has been exposed to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight as well as in the lights used in tanning beds. There are other factors that can contribute to the disease including exposure to toxic substances or experiencing conditions that weakens the immune system. There are various signs of skin cancer ranging from pale color and unnecessary growth of skin. Skin cancer has two main types, keratinocyte cancers  and melanomas. Keratinocyte skin cancers  are further divided into basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Basal skin cancer is by far the most common cancer of the skin. Both of them are often found in the skin areas that are exposed to the sun. Such as head, neck, and arms.Although they are very common but they are treatable. Furthermore, melanoma skin cancer is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. This form of skin cancer develops when unrepaired DNA damages the skin cells. An estimated 76,100 new cases of invasive melanoma have been diagnosed in the US in 2014(American cancer society). Moreover, there are other skin cancer types that are not quite critical. For example, Markel cell carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma, Lymphoma of the skin, etc. Success of the treatment of skin cancer depends on how early it is diagnosed. The stages of skin cancer is one of the most important factors in evaluating treatment options and through it can be identified how far the disease have spread.Mostly the staging of skin cancer depends on the type of it. There are four stages of skin cancer. During stage one, the cancer is 2cm across or less and has 1 or no high risk features. During stage two, the cancer is more than 2cm across, or has 2 or more  high risk features. During stage 3 it has grown into the bones in the face, such as the jaw bone or the