Skin Cancer

The Facts

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. These areas are exposed to the sun. Skin cancer is a tumor or growth formed by skin cells. These growths or tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

The three types of skin cancers are:

• malignant melanoma
• basal cell cancer
• squamous cell cancer

Who is at Risk?

UV radiation comes from the sun, sunlamps, tanning beds or booths. A person's risk of skin cancer is related to lifetime exposure to UV radiation.

• Light skin color that freckles or burns easily
• Scars or burns on the skin
• Infection with certain HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Chronic skin inflammation
• Family or personal history of skin cancer
• History of severe childhood sunburn

The Best Defense: Prevention and Detection

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your self from the sun. It is important to protect children from an early age.

• Try to limit time in the sun between 10am and 4pm, when the sun's rays are strongest.
• Wear long sleeves and a hat with a wide brim to protect face, ears and neck. Also, wear sunglasses that absorb UV. UV rays can get through loosely-woven fabric, windshields, windows and clouds.
• Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (to filter both UVB and UVA rays) with a (SPF) sun protection factor of at least 15.
• Apply sunscreen generously and reapply frequently, especially if you're perspiring or swimming.
• Stay away from sunlamps and tanning booths.

 

St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Center
Southwest Healthcare Services
West River Health Services
ND Department of Health
ND Cancer Coalition
North Dakota Cancer Coalition
Go Red ND
American Heart Association
MyPyramid.gov
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
American Institute for Cancer Research
Kids a Cookin'