Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin due to a number of different reasons. Generally the growth is on the outermost layer of the skin the epidermis.The bodys largest organ, our skin protects the body and all the internal organs from all the possible dangers, infections, injuries excessive heat, cold, and the ultra violet light from the sun. Besides, it releases toxins and produces the needful vitamin D for healthy existence.
The skins inner layer is called Dermis while the outer layer is the epidermis. The outer layer epidermis is made up of 3 different basic cells. They are basal, squamous cells and melanocytes.The basal cells produce new cells from the deep within the epidermis. Round in form, they grow and push the older cells to the surface. The older ones are the squamous cells and they become flat and thin as they age.Melanocytes are important and live along side the basal cells deep with in the epidermis. They are the color giving cells to our skin and produce melanin that protects us from the UV rays of the sun. Freckles are the areas of concentration that show increased production of melanin. When melanin is absent to the maximum the condition is called albinism.
Human skin is a complex organism of hart follicles, oil glands, tiny sweet glands, nerves, fat and blood vessels. Multiple functions of our skin add much quality and dimension to our life.This excellent organ of our body is not an exception to danger.. It is attacked by three types of cancer. The most common is called basal cell carcinoma and it is the least dangerous. Together with squamous cell carcinoma it is considered as a non melanoma skin cancer. These two are treated successfully.The most serious malignant melanoma, if left untreated in its early stages may prove fatal. Skin cancer is one of the fastest growing ones in modern times. The US has three quarters of million people a year that develop some form of cancer. About ten thousand of them die of cancer. Early treatment saves them fortunately. About 90% of skin cancers can be treated and cured.There seems to be no basic cause for skin cancer though there are a number of risk factors, we can avoid risks by knowing them. We should understand how our skin reacts to our environment. We should never take it for granted. We should appreciate and recognize the vital role played by the skin in the quality of our life.