The Many Causes of Skin Cancer
The word cancer will put a scare into anyone but do you know what causes skin cancer? It is said that the main cause of skin cancer is the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. There are two types of rays that come from the sun and they are ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B. The radiating that comes from the sun is actually energy that consists of light that we can see and rays that cannot be seen. It is the invisible infrared radiation that give us the hot feeling of the sun and the invisible UV is what causes us to tan and get a sunburn.
It is our DNA, our genetic genes, that is damaged by the UV rays. Our genes are in control of our skin cells and their overall health. If the damage to these cells is severe, then it is possible for skin cells to grow out of control and disorderly as in Cancer cells. It is also possible for skin cancer to run in families. In this case it is the abnormal genes that were inherited from parents. As genes will cause parents and their children to look alike, genes can also create the same disease in both parent and child.
Using a sunscreen will protect you from both types of rays that comes from the sun although anyone can get skin cancer. Generally, it is those with fair skin that are over the age of fifty that will have this type of cancer. But those with dark skin and even younger people can have it as well. Dermatologists say that it is an individuals lifetime exposure to the sun as to what causes skin cance. They also feel one severe sunburn will raise your chance for skin cancer by fifty percent. Many people who are getting ready to go on a sunny vacation will visit a tanning salon to get a base tan. They think that this will prevent sun damage to their skin. Sunscreen needs to be applied every couple hours to get the full effect if you want to do what you can to prevent skin cancer. It must be reapplied after swimming or if you are physically active and sweat off your sunscreen. Even the ones that claim to be waterproof will weaken with perspiration. If you find anything on your skin that is suspicious, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.
