| The most common type of cancer in the United | | | | UV rays, there is a risk for skin cancer. However, |
| States is skin cancer. Over one million people per | | | | with some people the risk is even greater. People |
| year get diagnosed with some type of skin | | | | who have many moles are at a higher risk |
| cancer which results in about 10,000 deaths. The | | | | because certain moles called dysplastic nevi has |
| three most common types of skin cancer are | | | | the potential of turning into melanoma. |
| basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer and | | | | Caucasians are 20 more times likely to have skin |
| melanoma. Of the three, melanoma is considered | | | | cancer than African Americans are. This is due to |
| to the most dangerous form and account for | | | | the skin pigmentation. Other risk factors to |
| over 75% of skin cancer deaths. | | | | developing melanoma include -family history, |
| Melanoma develops in melanocyte cells. These | | | | certain medicines, genetics and even gender. |
| cells actually create melanin or the skin | | | | Melanoma is a serious skin condition. It can be |
| pigmentation that gives our body its hue. When | | | | treated and contained if caught in the early |
| you are exposed to the UV rays of the sun, your | | | | stages. However, if left undiagnosed it can be life |
| skin produces melanin in an attempt to protect | | | | threatening. There are many medicines and |
| the skin and keep it from burning. This ends up | | | | treatments for melanoma but none is as |
| damaging the DNA skin cells. However, the sun is | | | | effective as early diagnosis. If you have a spot on |
| not the only thing that emits harmful UV rays. | | | | your skin that you are unsure about, it is |
| Tanning booths, beds and lamps do also. That | | | | extremely important to be checked by a |
| means that indoor tanning can be harmful as well. | | | | dermatologist. Don't wait. Get in and get checked |
| When your skin is exposed repeatedly to harmful | | | | out. It could save your life. |