Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeCauseIs Skin Cancer Caused By The Sun

Is Skin Cancer Caused By The Sun

Tracking Changes To Your Skin With An App

Does The Sun Cause Skin Cancer

Some people find it helpful to photograph areas of their skin such as the back or individual lesions to be able to better spot any future changes.

Over the past years, smartphone apps that can help consumers track moles and skin lesions for changes over time have become very popular and can be a very helpful tool for at-home skin checks.

This page does not replace a medical opinion and is for informational purposes only.

Please note, that some skin cancers may look different from these examples. See your doctor if you have any concerns about your skin.

It might also be a good idea to visit your doctor and have an open talk about your risk of skin cancer and seek for an advice on the early identification of skin changes.

* Prof. Bunker donates his fee for this review to the British Skin Foundation , a charity dedicated to fund research to help people with skin disease and skin cancer.

Make a difference. Share this article.

Is Skin Cancer Genetic

40-50% of Americans who live to the age of 65 will have skin cancer at least once. The most common types of skin cancer in the United States are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas. These are referred to as non-melanoma skin cancers and are generally the result of sun exposure. Learn more about the effects of UV exposure.

Approximately one in 60 people will develop invasive, cutaneous melanoma during their lifetime. Malignant melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. In fair-complexioned individuals worldwide, the majority of melanoma cases are related to environmental factors such as excessive ultraviolet radiation . However, about 5-10% of melanoma cases are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. In other words, parents with a defined genetic mutation have a 50/50 chance to pass on the susceptibility to each of their children regardless of gender. Learn more about melanoma.

Learn more about genetic testing or make an appointment with our experts at the Skin Cancer Program.

Is Having Dark Skin A Protective Factor

For people with darkly pigmented skin, their lifetime risk of skin cancer is very, very low their need for protective steps is lower, says Whiteman.

But and this is crucial it is far from zero.

Melanoma may be more than 20 times more common in white people than African-Americans, according to the American Cancer Society, but the fate of an individual cannot be predicted by a statistically lower probability of getting skin cancer.

Remember, probability is probability based over a population, not over an individual, so it says nothing about you or I as individuals, says Scientia Professor Justin Gooding of the University of NSW, who has pioneered a new, wearable, UV sensor. You may have other genetic factors that mean that doesnt apply to you. You might be one of the ones that are more susceptible or less.

Scolyer, who examines hard-to-diagnose skin biopsies from around the world as a diagnostic oncologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, adds this: Many people get melanoma whove got a low risk We know even people with extremely dark skin get melanoma.

Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley died of melanoma when he was 36.

This is why the Australian guidelines about sunscreen use pertain to all Australians, regardless of their skin colour.

Don’t Miss: How Many Stages Of Melanoma

Skin Cancer Pictures By Type

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. There are several different types of skin cancer with Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Bowens Disease, Keratoacanthoma, Actinic Keratosis and Melanoma most commonly occurring.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, and least dangerous whereas melanoma is the most dangerous type.

Below you will find skin cancer pictures of these six types, but remember that skin cancer should be diagnosed by a doctor. Comparing your skin lesion to skin cancer images found online cannot replace medical examination.

If you have any pigmented mole or non-pigmented mark on your skin that looks different from the other marks or moles on your skin, that is new or that has undergone change, is bleeding or wont heal, is itching or in any way just seems off, visit your doctor without delay dont lose time comparing your mole or mark with various pictures of skin cancer.

If you want to be proactive about your health, you may want to photograph areas of your skin routinely including individual moles or marks to familiarise yourself with the appearance of your skin . A skin monitoring app may be a useful tool to assist in that process.

MIISKIN PROMO

What Are The Symptoms Of Skin Cancer

PPT

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, typically a new mole or skin lesion or a change in an existing mole.

  • Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a small, smooth, pearly or waxy bump on the face, ears or neck, or as a flat pink, red or brown lesion on the trunk or arms and legs.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma can appear as a firm, red nodule, or as a rough, scaly flat lesion that may bleed and become crusty. Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers mainly occur on areas of the skin frequently exposed to the sun, but can occur anywhere.
  • Melanoma usually appears as a pigmented patch or bump but can also be red or white. It may resemble a normal mole, but usually has a more irregular appearance.

When looking for melanoma, think of the ABCDE rule that tells you the signs to watch for:

  • Asymmetry — the shape of one half doesn’t match the other
  • Border — edges are ragged or blurred
  • Color — uneven shades of brown, black, tan, red, white or blue
  • Diameter — A significant change in size , although any mole that is getting larger should be brought to the attention of your dermatologist many melanomas are being diagnosed at much smaller diameters.
  • Evolving — any new spot or mole that is changing in color, shape or size or itches or bleeds.

Continued

Also Check: What Causes Small Cell Carcinoma

Who Is At Risk For Skin Cancer

Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greatest in people who have fair or freckled skin that burns easily, light eyes and blond or red hair. Darker-skinned individuals are also susceptible to all types of skin cancer, although their risk is lower.

In addition to complexion, other risk factors include having a family history or personal history of skin cancer, having an outdoor job, and living in a sunny climate. A history of severe sunburns and an abundance of large and irregularly shaped moles are risk factors unique to melanoma.

How The Government Of Canada Protects You

The Public Health Agency of Canada monitors cancer in Canada. PHAC identifies trends and risk factors for cancer, develops programs to reduce cancer risks, and researches to evaluate risks from the environment and human behaviours. Health Canada also promotes public awareness about sun safety and the harmful effects of UV rays.

Don’t Miss: Can Skin Cancer Be Inherited

What Are Some Early Mansions Of Skin Cancer Causes Of Skin Cancer Other Than Sun

Skin cancer is actually the most prevalent of all cancers, as more cases of skin cancer have been diagnosed than any other. The consensus sentiment is that the sensing of early signals of skin cancer will dramatically increase the chances of defeating it, since management can be applied faster and more effectively. Because early detecting is all-important, it is very important to learn what the early indicates of skin cancer are. Therefore, you will know exactly what to look for, you will be able to check your skin occasionally to see if any of these mansions are present.

Should you recollect early signalings of skin cancer, you will then be able to take action immediately prior to it gets out of hand.

Five Primary Characteristics

When reading the early signs of skin cancer, you need to focus primarily on five characteristics. Each one can be easily recollected by apportioning the first five notes of the alphabet to each one. The first early ratify of skin cancer characteristic that corresponds with the letter A is asymmetry, which refers to the malevolent growth being influenced irregularly, necessitating it will be presented disproportionate.

The note D represents the word diameter, which references the cancerous tumors diameter. If these tumors are generally larger than 1/4 inch, then it should be recognized as one of the early clues of skin cancer. Elevation is the final peculiarity, and refers to the skin skin-deep being hoisted or unequal,

Additional Signs

Cosmetics And Skin Care Products

Skin Cancer is Caused From the Lack of Sunshine

Many cosmetic, skin care, and other personal care products have long lists of ingredients. Some of these ingredients may be harmful in large quantities.

For the most part, though, cosmetics and personal care products dont have high enough levels of certain toxic ingredients to cause cancer.

According to the ACS, there havent been enough long-term studies in humans to make claims about cancer risk. But, the health risks of long-term exposure to certain toxins cant be ruled out completely.

If you have concerns about a product youre using, check the ingredients and consult with a dermatologist.

You May Like: Is Melanoma The Same As Skin Cancer

How Does The Sun Cause Cancer

31st August 2020

Whilst some of us look forward to autumn and cozying up in front of the fireplace, others think longingly of summer, holding out hope for just one more weekend of sunshine – wanting to spend a bit more time in parks, gardens and at the beach to get that healthy glow. But did you know that this glow is radiation burn caused by exposure to ultraviolet light? While being in the sunshine supplies us with vitamin D and can improve our mood, this radiation burn also increases the risk of skin cancer.

What Changes In The Skin Occur Due To Exposure To The Sun

Exposure to sun causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. People think a glowing complexion means good health, but skin color obtained from being in the sun can actually speed up the effects of aging and increase the risk of developing skin cancer.

Sun exposure causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging. Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers break down, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily in addition to taking longer to heal. So while sun damage to the skin may not be apparent when you’re young, it will definitely show later in life. The sun can also cause issues for your eyes, eyelids, and the skin around the eyes.

Changes in the skin related to sun exposure:

  • Precancerous and cancerous skin lesions caused by loss of the skin’s immune function.
  • Benign tumors.
  • Fine and coarse wrinkles.
  • Freckles discolored areas of the skin, called mottled pigmentation and sallowness, yellow discoloration of the skin.
  • Telangiectasias, the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin.
  • Elastosis, the destruction of the elastic tissue causing lines and wrinkles.

Also Check: Does Skin Cancer Make You Lose Hair

How Does The Sun And Uv Cause Cancer

  • Too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun can damage DNA in your skin cells and cause skin cancer.
  • In the UK almost 9 in 10 cases of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, could be prevented by staying safe in the sun and avoiding sunbeds.
  • Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer, compared to never being burnt.

Sun Cells And Skin Cancer

How the Sun Causes Skin Cancer, According to Science

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the primary cause of skin cancer this can be directly from the sun or through man-made sources such as sunbeds. The role of sun damage is supported by the association between measures of sun sensitivity and skin cancer incidence, which is higher in people who have pale skin that burns without tanning, blue eyes and fair hair . Both the duration and severity of exposure is important: there is a dose-response relationship between the number of sunburn episodes during any life period and the risk of melanoma, meaning that the greater the number of times you have been sun-burnt the greater the chance of developing skin cancer.

UV radiation can induce cellular changes consistent with the hallmarks of cancer such as genomic instability and mutation, as well as initiating tumour-promoting inflammatory responses. This set of abnormal cellular behaviours characterise cancer and promote development and progression of tumours.

You May Like: Does Basal Cell Carcinoma Hurt

Skin Cancer: An Epidemic Caused By The Sun

In Africa, skin cancer is the leading cause of death among people with albinism, ending their lives dramatically at an early age. Prevention is essential. In Africa, sunscreen saves lives.

  • Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the highest prevalence of albinism in the world.
  • The solar radiation is 10 times more intense than in Europe
  • 1 dermatologist for 3.5 million people
  • 90% death rate before the age of 30 due to skin cancer
  • 100% of minors under the age of 20 present precancerous lesions.
  • 1 cancer treatment institution for 10 million inhabitants

High Rates In The Antipodes

So it is perhaps unsurprising that skin cancer rates are highest in Australia and New Zealand countries that are close to the hole in the ozone layer above the Antarctic, where UV radiation is not filtered in the same way as other regions. That said, the higher rates observed here are also thought to be due to their latitude, improved screening for skin cancer, and migration of non-native people with fairer skin to this area.

Despite the high incidence of skin cancer recorded across the world, these are still likely to be underestimates, particularly for non-melanoma skin cancer . Non-melanoma skin cancer represents a particular challenge for estimating incidence and survival: it is often not tracked by cancer registries, or registrations of this cancer are often incomplete because most cases are successfully treated via surgery or ablation.

You May Like: What Is Infiltrative Basal Cell Carcinoma

How To Spot Skin Cancer

For melanoma skin cancer, any change to your skin can be a concern and people are advised to regularly check their entire body for new or changed moles. The commonly used guidelines include looking for the ABCD signs:

  • Asymmetry two halves of the mole differ in shape
  • Borders edges may be irregular or blurred, sometimes show notches
  • Colour may be uneven, different shades of black, brown and pink
  • Diameter most melanomas are at least 6mm across

The more common non-melanoma skin cancer is not connected to moles and is often less dangerous than melanoma. Nevertheless, people should look out for non-melanoma skin cancer signs:

  • Scab/sore that wont heal
  • Scaly/crusty patch pf skin that is red/inflamed
  • Flesh coloured lump that wont go away and grows
  • Volcano like growth with rim and crater

To find out more about the symptoms and how to spot skin cancer, go to the NHS website.

Why Can Skin Cancers Occur In Parts Of Your Body Not Exposed To The Sun

DOES THE SUN CAUSE SKIN CANCER?

If sun exposure causes skin cancers, how is it that some skin cancers grow in body parts that never see the light of day?

Between the toes, on the soles of the feet, even around the genitals … skin cancers can appear on body parts that rarely or never see the sun. What’s going on?

It’s true the sun’s ultraviolet light has the power to damage our genes and this is far and away the major cause of skin cancers, says Cancer Council Australia CEO Professor Ian Olver.

But if there’s any downside to the success of skin cancer awareness campaigns, it’s perhaps the misperception that the sun is the only cause of skin cancer. It’s not.

Also Check: Can Melanoma Spread To Lungs

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Pictures

Squamous cell carcinoma also appears in areas most exposed to the sun and, as indicated in the pictures below, often presents itself as a scab or sore that doesnt heal, a volcano-like growth with a rim and crater in the middle or simply as a crusty patch of skin that is a bit inflamed and red and doesnt go away over time.

Any lesion that bleeds or itches and doesnt heal within a few weeks may be a concern even if it doesnt look like these Squamous cell carcinoma images.

Ways You Can Get Skin Cancer Besides Sunlight

The Office of Dr. Vincent Hung

3 Minute Read:

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, at least three million people are being affected by non-melanoma types of skin cancer every year.

People are always warned that sun exposure causes skin cancer, and true, the sun is responsible for more skin cancer cases than anything else. However, the sun is not the only way to experience a problem.

Skin cancer has many causes and many types, and so there are a few things to keep in mind.

Also Check: Can Cats Get Skin Cancer

What Causes Skin Cancer

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the number one cause of skin cancer, but UV light from tanning beds is just as harmful. Exposure to sunlight during the winter months puts you at the same risk as exposure during the summertime.

Cumulative sun exposure causes mainly basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer, while episodes of severe blistering sunburns, usually before age 18, can cause melanoma later in life. Other less common causes are repeated X-ray exposure, scars from burns or disease, and occupational exposure to certain chemicals.

Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B rays also affect the eyes and the skin around the eyes. Sun exposure may lead to cataracts, cancer of the eyelids, and possibly macular degeneration.

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Articles