Skin Cancers
They are more common in white skinned people. People with light eyes and hair are at risk. Look out for moles that grow dark and uneven, itch or change color and out line.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis, and it’s the most preventable cancer. Most skin cancer is caused by damage from the sun’s UV rays (ultraviolet radiation). An estimated 73,870 people will be diagnosed with melanoma—the most dangerous type of skin cancer—and over 9,940 will die of the disease. Every year, over two million people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer—either basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma
Recent research on the benefits of vitamin D (made by the skin from sunlight) indicates that just a brief exposure of your face, arms and hands to the sun is sufficient—about 15 minutes a day, three days per week. Talk to your health care professional about Vitamin D and your health.
Skin Cancer Risk Factors
- People who spend time in the sun, or use sun lamps or tanning booths
- People who smoke
- People who have blond, red or light brown hair, and blue, gray or green eyes
- People with fair skin or freckles, or skin that burns easily
- People with personal or family histories of skin cancer
- People with certain types of genetic problems that affect the skin
- People who have been treated with radiation
- People with weakened immune systems
- People who have several moles on their bodies, especially if they have had some moles since they were born
- People who have odd moles or one or more large colored spots on their skin
- People who have had contact with certain chemicals, such as arsenic in drinking water
- People whose skin is damaged from injury or from long-term inflammation
- People with HPV (human Papilloma virus)
Men are more likely than women to get non-melanoma skin cancer. People who are white are more likely to develop melanoma than are African Americans. However, anyone with any skin color may develop skin cancer. The risk for skin cancer increases as people get older.