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Educate Yourself About Skin Cancer |
By:
Keefe Figgatt |
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Educate Yourself About Skin Cancer
by Keefe Figgatt
Cancer consists of more than 100 ailments. Each kind of cancer is different to other types in many ways, although all cancers are a disease of some of the cells in the body.
Those cells that are healthy and comprise the body's tissue grow before dividing and replacing themselves. This is how the body grows, maintains its health and in good repair. However some of these cells can lose their ability to perform these tasks, limiting their growth and progress. They may divide themselves too rapidly or grow without organization. Some times too much tissue can be produced, resulting in tumors being produced. Tumors may be benign or malignant.
When a tumor will not lead to cancer, it is said to be "benign". These types of cancerous cells will not extend to other parts of the body, and they are not life threatening. Most often, benign tumors can be surgically removed and will not return. Benign tumors are a nuisance, but do not usually pose a threat.
Malignant tumors are those that will lead to cancer. These tumors invade and destroy the neighboring healthy tissues and organs, causing illness in the body. Malignant tumors can spread or "metastasize" to other organs and cause new tumors to grow throughout the body.
Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma are the two main kinds of skin cancer. Carcinoma is the term used to describe a cancer that begins in cells that cover or surround an organ.
Over 90 percent of skin cancers in the United States are Basel cell carcinoma. This category of cancer grows slowly and rarely spreads to other areas, although it is crucial that all types of skin cancers are found and treated as early as possible to prevent them from invading and destroying the nearby tissues.
Nonmelanoma skin cancers are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Melanoma skin cancer begins in the melanocytes.
Skin cancer is presently the most common type of cancer in the United States. It's been estimated that between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to be 65 years and older will develop skin cancer at least once. However, it must be noted that any age and nationality can develop skin cancer. Those who are fair skin and freckled with red or blond hair and blue or light colored eyes are the sorts of people who are at most risk of developing the disease.
The ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun is the principal cause for skin cancer. There are two kinds of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. There are also artificial sources of UV radiation, for instance, sun beds and tanning booths which can also cause skin cancer.
Skin cancer affects a greater number of people living in certain areas of the world. Those who live under the hot Texan sun are particularly at risk. Skin cancer rates are also higher in Australia and South Africa, where people are exposed to excessive amounts of the sun's UV rays every day. Those living in these, and other areas where UV exposure is high, are more likely to develop skin cancer.
Keefe Figgatt is a writer for several popular web sites, on health articles and alternative health issues. You can get a unique content version of this article.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article54154.html |
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