SKIN CANCER
BY MELINDA NEAGLE
ITT LOUISVILLE

Abstract
Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer, which is unfortunate because it is easily prevented. There are an estimated 1,050,000 new cases of skin cancer reported each year. The main three forms are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. One of the most dangerous cancers in the world is Melanoma, a cancer of the skin. There are many types of melanoma, some harmless and some deadly, but both can be cured if detected at an early stage. There are many ways to prevent melanoma, like limiting UV radiation to the skin and abstaining from tanning beds. However, melanoma can be detected on anybody and it is important to know how to act in time.

Skin Cancer Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in fair-skinned populations around the world. The National Cancer Institute defines skin cancer as a: “Cancer that forms in the tissues of the skin.” (National Cancer Institute) There are different types of skin cancer. There are three different kinds of skin cancer. Melanoma which forms in the pigment of the skin is the most dangerous form of cancer. Then there is basal cell carcinoma, the most common form, which forms in the lower are of the epidermis. The last is squamous cell carcinoma which is flat cells that form on the surface of the skin. All three are curable, but not to have them in the first place would be ideal. A pigment called Melanin determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. The amount of Melanin is genetically determined. Melanin in skin protects the body by absorbing solar radiation, the more melanin there is in the skin the more solar radiation can be absorbed. Excessive solar radiation causes direct and indirect DNA damage to the skin causing sunburn and even skin cancer. The concentrations of melanin varies with skin tone, dark skin have larger concentrations of melanin which protects against exposure to UV and skin cancers but it may result in low vitamin D levels. The determent with light skinned people is mainly the bluish-white connective tissue under the dermis and by the hemoglobin circulating in the veins of the dermis. Cancer commences when one or more genes in a cell mutate, which is they change from their normal form. A large number of genes are being investigated for their role in