Skin Cancer
Mary Mark
Coahoma Community College
Anatomy & Physiology I
Ms. Letha Richards
October 15, 2014

Abstract
Skin cancer is a term used to describe cancer in skin tissues. The skin is made of several layers. Skin cancer is classified according to the layer it develops in. Skin cancer is classified according to the layer it develops in. Skin cancer is a disease that can affect any one. Skin cancer includes many types that can be classified as severe or superficial. Consequently, treatments of skin cancer depend on the degree of severity a person has. In the following paper, I will shed lights on the types of skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells that usually develops on skin exposed to the sun. Skin cancer can be found in the early stage, which can usually be cured if treated before the spread. Skin cancer begins where we can see it, such as on the face or arms. Some signs may include, growing bumps, changing mole and/or a dry and scaly rough patch. In this paper, I will explain the three major types of skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is abnormal, uncontrolled growths that arise in the skin’s basal cells, which line the deepest layer of the epidermis. BCC’s usually appears and look like open sores, red patches, or scars. According to (skincancer.org) “An estimated 2.8 million cases of BCC diagnosed in the United States each year.” Nearly all basal cell carcinoma appear on the body that is mostly exposed to the sun, especially the ears, face, neck, scalp, back and/or shoulders. This disease is common in mostly elderly people, but studies show that people in their twenties and thirties are being treated for this skin cancer. In a few cases, contact with arsenic, exposure to radiation, open sores that resist healing, chronic inflammatory skin conditions, and complications of burns, scars, infections, vaccinations, or even tattoos are contributing factors. However, people who are at highest risk have fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue, green, or grey eyes. “Men with BCC have outnumbered women with this disease, but more women are getting BCC’s than in the past” stated (skincancer.org). Within the first two years of surgery, recurrence can develop on people who’ve had BCC.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is abnormal cells arising in the squamous cell, which damages the upper layer of the skin. A thick, rough, scaly patch is usually the appearance of SCC. They can also bleed if bumped or touched. Squamous cell carcinoma is caused by uV exposure over a period of time and can become deadly if allowed to grow. According to (Jones) about 8,800 people died from the disease in 2012 (p. 37). SCC appears on areas such as mucous membrane and genitals, but usually common in areas frequent exposed to the sun, including lower lip, arms, legs, and rim of the ear. Squamous cell carcinomas range from age fifty to seventy, but are more frequent in men than women. This disease affects mostly African-Americans, but light-skinned people are at a better risk than naturally dark-skinned people.
Melanoma is most dangerous form of skin cancer, these cancerous growths develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. The majority of melanomas are black or brown, but they can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. Melanoma kills an estimated 9,710 people in the US annually. If melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable, but if it is not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal. Everyone is at some risk for melanoma, but increased risk depends on several factors: sun exposure, number of moles on the skin, skin type and family history (genetics). eredity plays a major role in melanoma. About one in every 10 patients diagnosed with the disease has a family member with a history of melanoma. If your mother, father, siblings or children have had a melanoma, you are in a melanoma-prone family. Each person with a first-degree relative diagnosed with melanoma has a 50 percent greater chance of developing the disease than people who do not have a family history of the disease.
In conclusion, skin cancer is a danger to all whom work or dwell in the sun while at its peak. To prevent skin cancer of any kind, the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that people avoid the sun, which is from 10am- 4pm. Use sunscreen regularly. Any skin changes or abnormalities should be reported to a physician. In the event that you do develop skin cancer, there are surgical methods used to remove cancerous tissue. In advance cases, surgical removal of tissue along with radiation, chemotherapy, or both may be required. Take careful precautions while outside, and wear clothing such as hats to help lower your chances of developing skin cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma. Skin Cancer Foundation (2014) Retrieved from www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information