First, the good news: most skin malignancies can be treated if they are discovered in their early stages. It also true that many forms of skin cancer can be avoided altogether by taking the proper precautions against exposure to Ultra Violet (UV) Light.

But even though we know these precautions are necessary, the Mayo Clinic reports that the occurrence of skin cancer is increasing within our population. This applies to all three of the most common forms of skin cancer including melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, as well as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

So what exactly causes skin cancer?

Skin cancer is most likely to form on parts of your body that have the most exposure to sun. The most vulnerable areas include your face, lips, scalp, chest, neck, arms, hands and women’ s legs. You might be surprised to learn that skin cancer can also develop in areas of your body that are rarely (or never) exposed directly to sunlight. These areas include between your toes, under your toenails or fingernails, the palms of your hands, and the genital area.

The risk of skin cancer is not limited simply to people with light complexions. But when dark skinned people do develop melanoma, they are more likely to experience it in parts of the body not usually considered to be sun-exposed.

There is also no standard time table for skin cancer to develop. Depending on the type of cancer, a skin lesion can develop slowly over many years or appear very suddenly.

Warning signs of skin cancer are usually visual. For basal cell carcinoma, you may notice a waxy bump on your face, neck or ears, or a flat brown scar-like lesion on your back or chest. Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears as a firm red nodule, or a flat scaly lesion, on the face, neck, ear, hands or arms.

Melanoma, which is the most deadly form of skin cancer, can develop anywhere on the body – although it is found most frequently on the trunk, head or neck of men and the arms or legs of women. Melanoma can appear as a large brown spot with darker speckles, or a mole that suddenly changes color or size or bleeds. Melanoma can also appears as a small lesion with an irregular border and blue, red, black or white spots. Shiny, firm dome-shaped bumps can also be a warning sign of melanoma, as well as dark lesions on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, or on the mucous linings of the nose, mouth, anus or vagina.

If you think you have discovered a suspicious looking bump or lesion on your body, you should have your doctor inspect it at once. While not all skin changes are malignant, it is important to have an early diagnosis if cancerous cells are present. Better yet, by learning to practice proper sun protection habits, you can likely avoid skin cancer altogether.

Barb is a freelance writer and a mom who preaches the virtues of sun protection. She never leaves for a soccer game without a
portable sun shade. and has found the EZ Up Sun Shelter is large enough to shelter the entire family.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/the-warning-signs-of-skin-cancer-1114931.html