Your skin helps regulate your body temperature and protects it against heat, infection, injury, and light. Thus, your skin deserves proper care. When your skin is exposed to the sun continuously for a long time, it can develop cancer. While you can have skin cancer in any part of your body, it usually develops in an area of your skin that gets regular exposure to sunlight. This includes your neck, face, and hands. But asheville skin cancer can be prevented and cured.
Kinds of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer starts in the cells of your skin. Most types of skin cancer are squamous or basal cell cancers, which are less serious than melanoma skin cancers. When detected early, these cancers can be successfully treated.
Melanoma skin cancer is a serious kind of skin cancer that leads to most cancer-related deaths. When not treated early, it can be hard to control and may affect other organs.
Most skin cancers take place when mutations happen in cell DNA. The mutations lead to the abnormal growth of cells and the formation of cancer cell masses. Skin cancer is often caused by the UV rays of the sun.
Who Has a Higher Risk of Developing Skin Cancer?
While anybody can have skin cancer, those who have fair or freckled skin are at higher risk of this cancer. Aside from complexion, factors such as climatic conditions, outdoor occupations, family history, and toxic substance exposure increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer.
How to Prevent Skin Cancer
To protect yourself against skin cancer, you must follow the following skin care prevention tips:
- Stay away from the sun in mid-day. The UV rays of the sun are strongest between 12 noon and 4 pm. Thus, you should try to stay indoors during this period to avoid suntans and sunburns that increase your risk of having skin cancer. When you are exposed to the sun regularly, this exposure puts you at a higher risk.
- Wear sunscreen. Whether it is cold or hot outside, always wear sunscreen. While sunscreens are not designed to filter out cancer-causing UV rays, they can protect your skin from the sun’s radiation. Ensure you use sunscreen that has at least SPF 30 even if it’s not sunny outside.
- Wear protective clothing. Since sunscreens may not completely protect you from the sun, keep your arms and legs covered with protective clothing. Also, consider using a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses to keep your eyes protected.
