| e different kinds of cancer that human beings are | | | | cancer is not as common as non-melanoma, it is |
| prone to, skin cancer is the most commonplace. | | | | far more deadly and can be fatal if not detected |
| The causes of skin cancer are many. People living | | | | in its early stages. |
| in cold places love to sit in the sun, others vie | | | | To be able to combat skin cancer, watch for the |
| with each other for a suntan. Too much exposure | | | | early warning signs. It could be a slight |
| to the ultraviolet rays from the sun is known to | | | | ‘disfigurement’ of the skin that |
| trigger cancer cells. Often the damage is done | | | | makes you uneasy or perhaps a familiar mole |
| even before youth are out of their teens, as that | | | | that somehow looks different and has you |
| is the time they are most subjected to the | | | | wondering. Perhaps it’s a dark lump or |
| sun’s bad effects. The more fair skinned | | | | nodule, the alarmingly quick growth of which has |
| you are, the greater the chances of contracting | | | | you worried. Have you noticed that the skin has |
| this type of cancer. Congenital traits are | | | | changed in texture or it oozes or bleeds, and you |
| responsible for cancer in families. Environmental | | | | have no explanation for it? If you experience a |
| exposure to toxic elements like arsenic in its | | | | new sensitivity, a tendency to scratch or feel |
| many forms, the highly radioactive radium, | | | | pain, its time to sit up and take notice. In all these |
| creosote, a product of wood tar, and viscid | | | | instances don’t hesitate to make an |
| substances like coal tar and pitch are responsible | | | | appointment with the doctor. It could mean your |
| for the high incidence of cancer. | | | | life. |
| Though it may come as a surprise to many, | | | | Prevention, as the adage goes, is better than |
| there is no larger organ in the human body than | | | | cure. Don’t expose yourself to the sun |
| the skin. It’s the body’s armor, | | | | for too long and try to keep indoors or in the |
| defending the other organs against bacteria and | | | | shade, if you cannot help being out, from 10 in |
| keeping them from being injured. It helps maintain | | | | the morning to 4 in the afternoon. The right kind |
| the fluid levels in the body by preventing the loss | | | | of clothing with a tight weave, comfortably styled |
| of this precious substance. It conveys messages | | | | with long sleeves is ideal. Slather on the sunscreen |
| to the brain concerning the temperature of the | | | | lotions (SPF 15 at least) and don’t think |
| body, which it monitors, as well as the sensation | | | | one application will do. Repeat the process |
| of touch. It sends signals when the body feels | | | | especially if you’ve had a swim, or if |
| pain. Being multi-functional, is it any wonder then | | | | you’ve been perspiring and mopping the |
| why the skin is an important organ and must be | | | | sweat off. Don’t be careless on cloudy |
| looked after? | | | | days. The harmful rays are still at work. |
| Cancer of the skin is classified under two | | | | Headgear will help. Sport a hat with a wide brim |
| heads—non-melanoma and melanoma. | | | | so that most of your face, back and neck are |
| The former occurs in any part of the body | | | | protected. A cap doesn’t offer much |
| unprotected from the sun’s harmful rays. | | | | protection so don’t neglect you neck and |
| The skin on the face, neck and hands are | | | | ears when applying sunscreen lotion. |
| especially prone to this type of cancer. This kind is | | | | Your eyes are sensitive too. Go with a pair of |
| localized and doesn’t usually spread to | | | | sunglasses, one that can absorb almost cent per |
| other areas. It may be slow moving or could | | | | cent of the ultraviolet rays. The bigger the lens, |
| advance rapidly. | | | | the better the protection. |
| Melanoma manifests itself in the cells responsible | | | | All these precautions will not only help prevent |
| for producing melanin or pigment, which gives the | | | | cancer but will keep your skin looking younger, |
| skin its color. Melanin keeps the many layers of | | | | healthier and the wrinkles at bay. So protect |
| the skin safe from the damaging effects of the | | | | yourself the trendy way and guard yourself |
| sun’s radiation. Although this type of | | | | against skin cancer. |