Skin cancer develops when the cells in the skin grow uncontrollably due to damage to their DNA. The primary cause of this DNA damage is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mainly from sunlight but also from artificial sources like tanning beds. UV radiation harms the genetic material inside skin cells, leading them to mutate and multiply abnormally, which can eventually form cancerous tumors.
There are several types of skin cancer—basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and less commonly Merkel cell carcinoma—each linked closely with UV exposure but differing in behavior and severity. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type and usually arises on sun-exposed areas such as the face or neck. It grows slowly and rarely spreads but can cause local tissue damage if untreated. Squamous cell carcinoma also typically appears on sun-exposed skin and may develop from long-standing scars or chronic wounds; it has a higher chance than basal cell carcinoma of spreading deeper into tissues or other parts of the body.
Melanoma is less common but far more aggressive; it originates in melanocytes—the pigment-producing cells—and can occur anywhere on the body. Its risk factors include intense intermittent sun exposure causing severe sunburns rather than just cumulative daily exposure.
Apart from UV radiation, other causes contribute to skin cancer risk:
– **Skin Type:** People with fair complexions who burn easily have less natural protection against UV rays compared to those with darker skin tones.
– **Age and Gender:** Older individuals accumulate more lifetime sun damage; men tend to have higher rates possibly due to greater outdoor work or lower use of protective measures.
– **Chemical Exposure:** Contact with carcinogenic substances such as arsenic, coal tar derivatives, or industrial chemicals increases risk.
– **Radiation Exposure:** Previous therapeutic radiation treatments for other conditions can predispose certain areas of skin.
– **Immune Suppression:** People whose immune systems are weakened by disease or medications (like organ transplant recipients) are at elevated risk because their bodies cannot effectively repair damaged cells.
– **Genetic Disorders:** Rare inherited conditions like xeroderma pigmentosum impair DNA repair mechanisms making individuals extremely sensitive even to minimal UV light.
– **Human Papillomavirus (HPV):** Certain strains linked especially with genital warts may increase squamous cell carcinoma risks in those regions.
Additionally, chronic inflammatory skin diseases that cause persistent irritation might promote malignant changes over time.
Before full-blown cancer develops, precancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis often appear as rough scaly patches caused by prolonged sun damage. These lesions indicate heightened vulnerability for progression into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.
In summary: The root cause behind most cases of skin cancer lies in cumulative genetic mutations triggered primarily by ultraviolet light damaging cellular DNA beyond repair capacity. Other environmental exposures combined with individual susceptibility factors influence how likely someone is to develop these cancers over time. Protecting your skin from excessive sunlight through clothing, sunscreen use, avoiding tanning beds, monitoring any new or changing growths carefully—all play crucial roles in reducing your chances of developing this disease.
