Skin cancer is the most common cancer. More skin cancers are diagnosed and cured each year than all other cancers combined. There has been an extremely large increase in skin cancer in the last decade, almost a six-time increase. Therefore interest has increased. More has been learned in the last decade than in the past fifty years. .
There are three types of skin cancer. The first and most common being basal cell carcinoma, then squamous cell carcinoma. These are quickly curable diseases found in over 400,000 Americans each year. The last and most rare type is malignant melanoma. With nearly 22,000 cases a year it causes almost 7,400 deaths. All other types of skin cancer cause 1,900 deaths per year. Even though melanoma is extremely dangerous it has a better outlook due to knowledge of patients and doctors, diagnosis, and improved treatment methods. .
Skin Types.
There are four different types of skin. These types are based on tendency to tan or burn in thirty minutes of sun exposure. You should adjust your time in the sun based on the skin type. (See table 1) People with skin types I and II should really limit their sun exposure and always use effective sunscreen. They are the most susceptible to skin cancer. Types III and IV can be out in the sun freely, but should still take precautions for skin cancer. .
Susceptibility.
Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma develop mostly in older white people, especially people whom worked out-of-doors most of their lives. You are .
2.
also of high susceptibility if you work indoor but get a lot of exposure to the sun on the weekends. Skin cancer is most common in hot, sunny climates. Oddly enough fluorescent lights even play a slight role in developing skin cancer. Cancer usually occurs in areas most exposed to the sun, which comes as no surprise. Areas such as the back of hand, face, lips, nose, the top of ears, and in bald men, the top of head are very susceptible.
