Skin Cancer By Amber Akkurt

Introduction Skin cancer, in some cases, especially if not discovered early enough, is a fatal disease that occurs when the skin cells are damaged. There are many ways you can prevent skin cancer, and in most cases it’s curable, if caught early enough.

Causes Unfortunately, a large percentage of skin cancers in Australia are caused by overexposure to the sun, but skin cancer can also be caused by increased numbers of unusual moles, depressed immune systems, a family history, fair skin and if the person had a previous melanoma.

Symptoms Symptoms of skin cancer include any crusty, non healing sores, small red, pale or pearly lumps, new spots, freckles or any moles changing colour, thickness or shape over a period of weeks to months (especially those dark brown to black, red or blue- black in colour).

Prevention The best ways to prevent skin cancer are to wear sunscreen, a hat, and if possible long sleeves between the hours of 10am to 4pm during summer. The three main types of skin cancer are melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma*, and squamous cell carcinoma*. *Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are known as non-melanoma skin cancer.

Cures If caught early on, skin cancers can be removed. If the case is more advanced, some of the surrounding tissue may also be removed to be sure that all of the cancerous cells are gone. More common skin cancers can be treated with ointments or radiation therapy. They can also be removed with surgery, by using liquid nitrogen to rapidly freeze the cancer off, scraping or burning.