Skin Cancer Essay Example

Skin protects and buffers the body from being damaged by heat, chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, bacteria, and other biological contaminants and physical impacts. But, like any other organ in the body, the skin is subject to cancer. Skin cancer occurs when malignant growths or tumors form on or in the skin. Today, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, accounting for about 50% of all cancer cases reported annually, according to the American Cancer Society. Some do not think that they have skin cancer or will ever get it but they can and they might not even know it. Family genetics reveals susceptibility and resistance in most common forms of skin cancer.

The most common genetic skin cancer is Melanoma. Melanoma is a tumor of melanin-forming cells, especially a malignant tumor with skin cancer and it is also the most serious type of skin cancer one can get. Someone, in 60 people will develop invasive, cutaneous melanoma during their lifetime. Malignant melanoma is cancer that begins in the melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. In individuals worldwide, many melanoma cases relate to environmental factors such as excessive ultraviolet radiation, which is also known as sun exposure, and that is why SPF- sunscreen numbers are getting higher. So if one looks in there CVS, Walgreens or etc,  they will find that SPF numbers could range from SPF 15 to SPF 50. 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.

That is why in research most cases are from other family members. If it is found in the family, that melanoma is genetic there is not much that can be done besides trying to prevent it. There are many ways to prevent it one of the ways is to avoid UV tanning beds because of the UV lights in the tanning beds, also try not to get sunburnt. Another prevention is to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For. For extended outdoor activities, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. SPF can be found in different foundations and moisturizers that can be very useful too. One of the biggest things one can do to prevent skin cancer is seeing a dermatologist once a year, so they can do a skin examination and or examine oneself monthly to look for darkened unusual moles that can be checked monthly or year to see if it grows or not.