Skin cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin. It is one of the most common types of cancer. Skin cancer appears as a change on the skin. It can occur anywhere but is found mainly on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms.

The 3 main types of skin cancer are:

• basal cell carcinoma
• squamous cell carcinoma
• melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma accounts for over 90% of all skin cancers in the US. It is slow growing and seldom spreads to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma also rarely spreads, but it does so more often than basal cell carcinoma. Both basal and squamous cell are common in people who are regularly in the sun for long periods of time. Both have a high rate of cure when treated right away.

A melanoma usually develops from a mole. It is also caused by too much sun. Melanoma is not as common as the other 2 types of skin cancer, but it is more serious and more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
 

Skin cancer is related to how much you are out in the sun without protecting your skin. Exposure to UV rays from sunlight or tanning beds is the most common and easily preventable cause. Most skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun's damaging effects begin at an early age. Therefore, protection should start in childhood to prevent skin cancer later in life.

The risk of skin cancer is greatest for people who have fair skin that freckles easily. Frequently these are people with red or blond hair and blue or light-colored eyes. High-risk professions for skin cancer include farmers, construction workers, other sun-exposed outdoor workers, and vehicle drivers (their sun-exposed arm). Where you live can also be a risk. People who live in areas where there are high levels of UV radiation from the sun are at greater risk of getting skin cancer.