Hey y'all! Lately I have been trying to focus a lot on gaining a better understanding of the origins of skin cancer. I thought this would be a good time for me to explain the basics of it so we can all learn together. Let's get started!
When ultra violet rays penetrate our outer layer of skin, the likelihood of mutations in DNA occurring increase. These mutations lead to the rapid, abnormal growth of cells which then cause cancerous tumors. There are three major forms of cancer which can then take hold: squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma | This is the second most common type of skin cancer. It typically appears as a red patch, dry and scaly area, raised bump, or wart like growth. |
Basal Cell Carcinoma | This is often the most common type of skin cancer, but also the least dangerous. These appear similar to SCC, however usually have a central indentation or rolled edges. |
Melanoma | This is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. It grows AND spreads across the body rapidly. There is an ABCDE rule which helps identify melanoma, which I am about to discuss! |
The ABCDE Rule
A: ASYMMETRY: If the mole is not symmetrical, this can be a sign of melanoma as most of its marks are asymmetrical.
B: BORDER: If the mole has an uneven, rough edge this is another sign of melanoma. Most common moles have smooth borders.
C: COLOR: Most common moles are a normal shade of brown. Moles that appear tan, black, red, or an irregular shade of brown may be melanomas.
D: DIAMETER: If a mole has a diameter of about 1/4th of an inch, or larger, it may be a melanoma. E: EVOLVING: If you notice changes in certain moles, such as increase in size, bleeding, or itching, this may be a sign of melanoma.
The ABCDE Rule is incredibly beneficial to help set apart possible melanomas from common moles. It is important that you check your skin regularly to ensure you notice changes or abnormalities within certain moles.
While all of this information about skin cancer may seem very overwhelming, I have good news. Applying sunscreen in your daily life, no matter how long you'll be outside for, will decrease your chances of developing skin cancer significantly. Sunscreen works by absorbing the sun's UV rays and turning them into heat, which can then be released from the skin. Though it will not take away the risk of sun exposure, it certainly does decrease the likelihood of cell mutations occurring! Y'all remember to apply sunscreen, even when you're only going outside for 30 minutes!
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