Our skin is the first thing that protects us from the outer world. It keeps bad things out, helps us feel the world around us, and maintains our body temperature consistent. Our skin is resilient, but it can also get damaged, and skin cancer is one of the worst things that can happen to it.
Every year, millions of people get skin cancer, making it one of the most frequent types of cancer in the world. Cases are steadily rising in India, largely because people spend more time in the sun without taking measures and don’t know enough about how harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation may be. What is the good news? In many circumstances, you may avoid acquiring skin cancer. If you do acquire it, though, detecting it and treating it early can save your life.
This site is here to assist you and your family understand about the main causes of skin cancer, lung cancer, and other common malignancies, who is at risk, and how to keep safe. We’ll also talk about the indicators of skin cancer, how to identify a skin cancer specialist in Maharashtra, and when to go to a cancer hospital near you, such as Onco-Life Cancer Centre, for screening or treatment. Learning about skin cancer can help you and your loved ones stay healthy.
What Is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer happens when DNA is broken and skin cells start to grow out of control. Most of the time, our bodies mend cells that are injured. But being around hazardous things for a long period, such as UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds, can damage the DNA in skin cells, which can make them grow too fast. If you notice any signs or symptoms of skin cancer, it is vital to consult with a skin cancer specialist, such as those at Onco-Life Cancer Centre, for timely diagnosis and treatment.
There Are Three Main Types Of Skin Cancer:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): This is the most common form, and it usually happens when you spend a lot of time in the sun. It grows slowly and doesn’t spread very often, although it can harm tissue nearby.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): frequently shows up on skin that gets a lot of sun, like the arms, cheeks, and ears. If you don’t treat it, it can spread to other organs and grow faster than BCC.
The most aggressive type of skin cancer is melanoma. It starts in cells that generate pigment (melanocytes). It can swiftly spread to other sections of the body.
People with fair skin are more likely to have skin cancer, but people of all skin tones, even those with darker skin, are at danger. This is especially true in sunny locations like India, where UV rays are strong all year.
Learning about the most prevalent causes of skin cancer and how to detect the early indications so you can get care right away is the greatest way to minimise your risk.
The Most Common Things That Cause Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is most often caused by long-term, recurrent damage to the DNA in the skin. Let’s talk about the most important things you need to know:
1. Long-Term Exposure To Uv Radiation (The Major Culprit)
Sunlight: UV rays, especially UVA and UVB, can get through skin layers and damage DNA. This can cause cells to develop in unexpected ways.
Tanning beds and sunlamps: UV light from these things can be just as bad for you as UV radiation from the sun, and sometimes even worse.
History of sunburn: having sunburnt a lot or badly, especially as a child, dramatically raises the risk of having skin cancer later in life.
To avoid getting sunburnt, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater, wear clothes that protect you, keep out of the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM, and never use tanning beds.
2. Skin That Is Light Or Fair
People with less melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its colour, are less protected from UV radiation. This means their DNA is more likely to be damaged. But persons with darker skin tones are not immune and can also have malignant melanomas, which are hard to find because people don’t know about them.
3. An Immune System That Isn’t As Strong
Some medications or situations that make the immune system weaker, like organ transplants, HIV infection, or long-term steroid usage, make it difficult for the body to repair damaged cells. This boosts the risk of cancer.
4. Genetics and Family History
If someone in your family has skin cancer, you may be more likely to have it yourself, especially melanoma. Changes in your genes that you get from your parents can make your skin cells more likely to be harmed by UV radiation or make it harder for your body to mend the damage.
5. Touching Things That Are Bad For You
Some pesticides or dirty water may include arsenic.
Chemicals used in business, such as coal tar, oil products, and other cancer-causing substances, can cause cells to proliferate in unexpected ways.
People who labour in some fields, such farming, mining, and building, may be more likely to develop sick.
6. Non-Healing Chronic Wounds Or Scars
Skin that has been badly burned or damaged can sometimes get cancer many years later. Chronic inflammation or irritation may also increase the risk.
7. Age and Gender
Older people are more prone to get skin cancer since they have spent a lot of time in the sun. Men are a little more likely to get it, which could be because they spend more time outside and don’t protect their skin from the sun as much.
8. Radiation Therapy In The Past
People who have had radiation therapy for other health concerns may get skin cancer in the areas that were exposed years later.
Key Point: Skin cancer is mostly caused by UV radiation, a weak immune system, chemicals, and heredity. Being aware of these factors and making changes to your lifestyle will help you avoid or deal with most of them.
How to Find Early Signs of Skin Cancer
If you know what to look for, you can obtain treatment sooner rather than later. Here are some frequent indicators of skin cancer:
- A new mole, spot, or growth that gets bigger, smaller, or changes colour.
- A sore that doesn’t heal in two to three weeks.
- Patches that are red or scaly and bleed or itch all the time.
- A lump that becomes bigger steadily over time and is sparkly or clear.
- Dark lines that run under the nails of the fingers or toes that don’t ache.
- Remember the ABCDE rule for melanoma:
- A: Asymmetry indicates that one side is different from the other.
- B—Border: Edges that aren’t smooth or straight.
- C—Color: Several or unequal colours.
- D: Diameter: More than 6 mm.
- E—Evolving: Something that changes as time goes on.
If you encounter these indicators, don’t wait. If you want a speedy test and diagnosis, go to a skin cancer specialist in Maharashtra or a cancer hospital near me.
Getting The Right Care: Diagnosis And Treatment
If you’re worried about changes in your skin, your doctor might:
- Do a physical checkup and ask about your health history.
- Use a dermatoscope to look closely at the lesion.
- Do a skin biopsy, which means looking at a little sample of skin under a microscope.
- It’s usually easy and very successful to treat skin cancer if it’s found early. Some of the options are:
- Surgical excision is the process of removing the malignant tissue.
- Mohs surgery: Removing layers one at a time to be sure.
- Putting cancer cells in the freezer is called cryotherapy.
- In some circumstances, radiation or topical chemotherapy creams may be employed.
- Use targeted therapy or immunotherapy for advanced melanoma.
Hospitals like Onco-Life Cancer Centre in Maharashtra make it easy to seek care by providing advanced treatment, teams of specialists, and MJPJAY or insurance coverage.
How to Keep You and Your Family Safe
You can avoid most of the substances that cause skin cancer. This is how to keep your family safe from common skin cancer causes:
- Every day, put on sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours.
- Hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses are all types of clothes that keep you safe.
- Stay away from tanning beds and too much UV light.
- Look at your skin every month to see if it has changed.
- Drink a lot of water and maintain a nutritious diet to keep your skin healthy.
- Teach kids how to stay safe in the sun early on. This lessens their risk of getting cancer later in life.
Final Thoughts:
Skin cancer might be alarming, but the best way to be safe is to learn about it. You can dramatically minimise your risk if you know what causes skin cancer, look for symptoms early, and take steps to avoid it.
Don’t dismiss anything that seems odd on your skin. If you live in Maharashtra, see a skin cancer specialist or a cancer hospital you trust that is close by for a rapid check-up. Finding out about a disease early not only saves lives, but it also means less therapy and a speedier recovery. Your skin protects you every day, therefore you should protect it too.
