Skin Cancer - Non-Melanoma

Causes & Prevention

Best Protection Against the Sun? Clothes!!!!

To prevent the damage from the sun's rays---stay indoors! However, abstinence is not always possible, nor medically advisable. Deficiency in Vitamine D, which many consider a hormone required for bone health, is a real concern, if the person receives no exposure to sun light. This deficiency is also true, when ultra violet rays are not absorbed due to sun screens, or protective clothing.

Never the less, as keratosis and squamous cell cancers of the skin have been decreasing as skin health has become more central in our lives; it's a good idea to review the most protective ways of handling too much sun exposure.

What Does It Mean When Medical Experts Say "Race" Is A Risk Factor For Certain Diseases?

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Can It Be Prevented?

According to the American Cancer Society, the most important ways to lower the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer are to avoid being outdoors in intense sunlight too long and to practice sun safety when you are outdoors. You can maintain your level of physical activity and practice sun safety at the same time even on cloudy or cool days.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Causes

According to the American Cancer Society, most basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are caused by unprotected ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure to the area of skin that develops the cancer. Most of this radiation comes from sunlight, but some may come from artificial sources such as tanning booths.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Risk Factors

Any discussion about the causes of nonmelanoma skin cancer must include risk factors.

The following are known risk factors for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas (but do not apply to other forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer such as Kaposi sarcoma and cutaneous lymphoma: