Table of contents:
- Skin cancer-causing conditions
- Various factors can increase the risk of skin cancer
- 1. Increasing age
- 2. Exposure to direct sunlight
- 3. White skin color
- 4. Tanning or darken the skin with a UV tool
- 5. Family and personal skin health history
- 6. There is a mole
- 7. Weak immune system
- 8. Exposure to radiation
Skin cancer is a condition in which an abnormal growth of skin cells occurs due to sun exposure. However, this does not mean that this condition cannot occur in skin that is not exposed to sunlight. Then, what is the real cause of skin cancer? Check out an explanation of the various causes and risk factors that can increase a person's potential for this disease.
Skin cancer-causing conditions
Skin cancer is divided into three types, namely basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basically, the causes of these three types of skin cancer are the same, namely the occurrence of DNA mutations in skin cells. This DNA mutation causes skin cells to continue to grow uncontrollably and form cancer cells in the skin.
The thing that distinguishes these three types of skin cancer is the mutation of the DNA. Basal cell carcinoma is a skin cancer that occurs in the basal skin cells, the cells that form new skin cells, located at the base of the epidermis.
Meanwhile, the cause of squamous cell carcinoma is the mutation of DNA in the squamous skin cell layer, which is the skin cell that lies just below the outer layer of skin and functions to protect the inner skin.
Slightly different, melanoma occurs not because of a mutation in DNA, but rather damage to the DNA of melanocyte skin cells, which are skin cells that produce melanin or the pigment that gives skin its color. This damage results in uncontrolled growth of skin cells.
However, the relationship between DNA damage in melanoma cancer is not yet known. The difference in the location of the problem in the DNA of the skin cells also determines the type of skin cancer treatment that the patient will undergo.
Usually, mutations or DNA damage in skin cells occurs due to ultraviolet radiation contained in sunlight or light used in machines tanning . Even so, skin cancer can occur due to exposure to certain toxic substances or conditions that weaken your immune system.
Various factors can increase the risk of skin cancer
Apart from the causes of skin cancer, it is also important to know several factors that can increase your risk of developing this disease. Among others are:
1. Increasing age
One of the risk factors for this disease is age. This means that as you get older, the higher your risk of developing skin cancer. However, that does not mean, when you get older, you will definitely experience this condition. In addition, it does not mean that skin cancer is impossible at a young age.
2. Exposure to direct sunlight
Sunlight that contains UVA and UVB can damage the DNA in human skin cells. Sunlight usually starts affecting the DNA of the genes that control skin cell growth. If you are exposed to the sun for too long and too often, you may be at greater risk of developing skin cancer.
Then, sun exposure tends to be the most dangerous at certain hours, such as above 10 am to 5 pm. If you regularly leave the house without using sunscreen, it can also increase the risk of causing cancer in your skin.
3. White skin color
Believe it or not, those of you who have white skin have a higher potential for developing skin cancer. However, that does not mean white skin is the cause of skin cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, people with lighter skin have less melanin.
That is why the skin produces less protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In fact, if you have freckles or small spots and skin burns easily, your risk of developing skin cancer is higher than other people who have darker skin.
4. Tanning or darken the skin with a UV tool
Darken the skin or commonly known as tanning , is one of the causes of skin cancer that often occurs. It is believed because of tools tanning skin using UV light to make skin darker. As is well known, direct and continuous exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin.
5. Family and personal skin health history
Having a family member who has had skin cancer increases your risk of developing the disease. Likewise if you have experienced this disease. Your risk of re-experiencing skin cancer is certainly greater than that of people who have never had it.
Therefore, if you have family members who have had this disease, or you have had it before, try to be more sensitive to the symptoms of skin cancer that may arise.
6. There is a mole
You may think that a mole is a normal condition that anyone might experience. Even so, you still need to be aware of the presence of moles on the body, especially those that look abnormal.
The reason is, the presence of abnormal moles on the body increases the risk of causing skin cancer. For example, a mole that is abnormal in shape and size.
Therefore, if you feel you have a mole with an unnatural size and shape, try to see a doctor as a preventive measure against skin cancer.
7. Weak immune system
If you have a weak immune system, your risk of developing skin cancer is certainly higher. The same is true for people who have HIV / AIDS and people who take immunosuppressant drugs after undergoing an organ transplant.
8. Exposure to radiation
Yes, apart from some of the causes above, radiation also plays a large role in the causes of skin cancer. The reason is, the use of X-ray radiation for a long time will cause conditions or conditions, such as basal cell nevus syndrome or xeroderma pigmentosum .
Both of these conditions are very at risk of causing skin cancer. Usually this condition is often experienced by people who are undergoing chemotherapy, or are in a factory environment that has high radiation.
