Detailed Analysis of Skin Cancer: Types, Causes, Prevention Methods

This report provides a detailed overview of skin cancer, beginning with current statistics indicating its prevalence in the US. It discusses the different types of skin cancer, categorizing them into nonmalignant melanoma and malignant melanoma, with further divisions into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The report identifies ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight as a primary cause and explores other risk factors such as skin tone, gender, and pre-existing skin conditions. Various treatment methods, including surgery, pharmacological therapy, targeted therapy, adoptive cell immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, are examined, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis for effective treatment. The report also highlights preventive measures, such as regular check-ups, reducing sun exposure, and using sunscreens. The conclusion emphasizes the increasing incidence of skin cancer and the need for early screening and treatment, noting that while early-stage cancers are often curable, advanced cases are more challenging to treat. It also points out the significance of protective gear for those working outdoors to minimize UV radiation exposure.

Running head: SKIN CANCER 1
Skin cancer
Name
Institution

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Abstract
In this paper different types of cancer of the skin, different causes of cancer of the skin, methods
of prevention and treatment of cancer of the skin are discussed in detail. The introduction part of
this research discusses the current statistics of skin cancer in the US. Data indicates that cancer
of the skin is the leading type of cancer in the US. Types of skin cancer are discussed with
nonmalignant melanoma and malignant melanoma forms being the main ones. The paper
discusses various causes of cancer with UV radiation from the sunlight being the leading the
cause. Various treatment approaches used in skin cancer are discussed in this paper. Research
indicates that early diagnosis and treatment are effective, however late diagnosis makes it hard to
treat skin cancer. Techniques used to prevent skin cancer discussed in this paper depict that
regular checkup should be carried out with those with the history of skin cancer. Finally, the
paper concludes by summing the main points of the research paper.

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Skin Cancer
The skin epidermis contains three types of cells, which are the melanocytes, basal cells,
and squamous cells (Tilney, van Wyk & van der Merwe, 2014). The melanoma, squamous cell
and basal cell cancers of the skin affect the epidermis. In the US, skin cancer is the utmost
mutual type of cancer. Current statistics indicate that a ratio of 1:5 Americans is likely to develop
cancer of the skin by the age of 70 (Rogers, Weinstock, Feldman & Coldiron, 2015). The data
also indicate that about 9,500 new cases of cancer are reported every day. This paper discusses
the different types of cancer of the skin, different causes of cancer of the skin, methods of
prevention and treatment of cancer of the skin.
Types of Skin Cancer
Cancer of the skin is grouped into two main forms, which are nonmalignant melanoma
and malignant melanoma, which are further divided into SCC and BCC. SCC and BCC occur
mainly because of chronic exposure to UV-sunlight. Research indicated that nonmelanoma skin
cancer including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma affected over 3 million US
citizens a year (Didona, Paolino, Bottoni & Cantisani, 2018). Research indicated that the overall
BCC incidence elevated by 145% between 1976-1984 and 2000-2010 while the overall SCC
incidence elevated 263/ over the same period. Basal cell carcinoma is the utmost mutual form of
cancer of the skin. It occurs on the neck and head regions followed by extremities and trunk.
BCC is also classified into sclerosing, nodular and superficial. The second most common type of
cancer is known as squamous cell carcinoma with about 250000 newly diagnosed cases annually
in the US (Muzic et al., 2017). This form of cancer affects mostly the Asian Indians and black
with a representation of 65% and 30% of cancers of the skin respectively. This form of cancer
occurs in those areas that are being exposed to direct sunlight. Another form of cancers of the

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skin comprises of Kaposi sarcoma, cutaneous Lymphoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, skin adnexal
tumors and some different forms of sarcomas. When combined together, these types of cancers
of the skin account for not more than 1% of all skin cancers.
Causes of Skin Cancer
Different factors have been found to be putting individuals at risk of cancer of the skin.
One of the factors is ultraviolet radiation. Research has found that damage to the skin mostly
occurs because of being exposed to the sun, which leads to skin cancer. Amount of UV exposure
is determined by the length of time an individual is exposed to sunlight, the radiation intensity
and the amount of protection (D'Orazio, Jarrett, Amaro-Ortiz & Scott, 2013). Another factor that
causes skin cancer is the skin tone. Research has found that the pigment of the skin plays a
significant role in protecting the skin against UV radiation. Darker pigment provides better
protection against UV radiation while lighter skins provide lesser protection against UV
radiation. Research has found that Caucasians are at more risk of getting Melanoma cancer of the
skin as compared to individuals of African descent (Narayanan, Saladi & Fox, 2010). Conditions
of skin pigmentation such as albinism can also raise risks of getting skin cancer. Gender is also
another factor that has been found to be putting people at risk of developing skin cancer.
Research has found that women had the highest incidence rates for both forms of NMSC. Other
factors that put people at risk of getting skin cancer include previous skin cancer and xeroderma
pigmentosum. However, there are specific factors that are specific to different types of skin
cancers. For instance, for non-melanoma skin cancers, the factors include permanent injury of
the skin, smoking, chemical exposure, basal cell nevus syndrome and exposure to non-UV
radiation. For melanoma skin cancers, the factors include age, family background, and moles.
Treatment Methods

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Currently, there are various therapeutic approaches used to treat cancer of the skin
(Orthaber, Pristovnik, Skok, Perić & Maver, 2017). Surgery via radical excision is the option
used for NMSC. When the tumor is less than 2mm, it is excised with a 4mm border and of
healthy skin. Basic pharmacological therapy is also used in the treatment of BCC. Mortality and
morbidity have significantly reduced by the introduction of drugs such as 5-fluorouracil that
regulate the main receptors of the cells and immune response. Another approach is known as
targeted therapy used in the treatment of skin cancer. Other approaches include adoptive cell
immunotherapy and immunotherapy (Orthaber et al., 2017). The histological lesion type, its
location, size, and the patient’s age should determine the treatment choice. These imply that no
single method of treatment is ideal for all lesions. The goals of treatment are to remove the tumor
completely, function preservation and good cosmetic outcome (Simões, Sousa & Pais, 2015).
Radiotherapy is the most effective treatment for the early stage of lesions.
Prevention of Skin Cancer
Research suggests that regular check-up for former cancer skin patients should be carried
out by including active searching for recurrences of the tumor and for tumors that have acquired
newly (Silpa & V, 2013). The checkup should provide an opportunity to of treating actinic
keratosis. Ulcerating, bleeding and changing lesion biopsies should be carried out at the same
time. Measures of prevention should be based on a significant etiological factor, which is the
sun. Exposure to the sun in both adults and children should be reduced and it is advisable for
children to avoid being exposed to sunlight especially for a long time. The skin should be
covered from being exposed to the sun directly by use of sunscreens.
In conclusion, the incidence of cancer of the skin has been increasing drastically from
day-to-day. Research has found that cancer of the skin can be cured at early stages easily by

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simple techniques or procedures. However, skin cancer that has advanced cannot be effectively
treated by medications. This implies that there is a need for early screening and treatment of this
disease overall SCC accounts for 16%, BCC accounts for 80% and melanoma accounts for 4%.
UV- B and A are the main contributors is skin cancer those who work outdoors are more prone
to skin cancer because they are prone to direct sunlight. Therefore, when working outdoors,
protective gear should be worn to provide protection against UV radiation.

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D'Orazio, J., Jarrett, S., Amaro-Ortiz, A., & Scott, T. (2013). UV Radiation and the
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(2017). Incidence and Trends of Basal Cell Carcinoma and Cutaneous Squamous Cell
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