Skin cancer facts for kids
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the skin. It happens when skin cells grow in a way that is not normal. There are different kinds of skin cancer. The most common ones are named after the type of skin cell they affect.
Most skin cancers begin in the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis. Often, a new spot or a change in an old spot can be seen. This means doctors can often find skin cancer early. When found early, it is usually easy to treat. Most people with skin cancer do not die from it.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. This includes both melanoma and other types. It is even more common than lung cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer. Melanoma is a more serious type of skin cancer. In the UK, over 11,700 new cases of melanoma were found in 2008. More than 2,000 people died from it that year. It is the second most common cancer for young adults aged 15–34 in the UK.
Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to UV rays. These rays come from the sun or from sunbeds.
The most common skin cancers are called non-melanoma skin cancers. Most of these are basal cell carcinomas. They often look like small spots. They are caused by too much sun exposure over many years. These types of skin cancer usually do not spread to other parts of the body. They rarely cause death.
Contents
Types of Skin Cancer
There are three main types of skin cancer. They each look a bit different.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal-cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It often looks like a shiny, clear, or fleshy bump. Sometimes, you can see tiny blood vessels on its surface. It might also have a small sore.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous-cell skin carcinoma often appears as a red, rough, or scaly patch. It can also be a firm bump. This type of tumor can grow very quickly.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a more serious type of skin cancer. It often looks like a mole that has changed. Doctors use the "ABCDE" rule to spot it:
- Asymmetry: One half of the spot does not match the other half.
- Border: The edges are uneven, jagged, or blurry.
- Color: The color is not the same all over. It might have shades of brown, black, tan, or even red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: The spot is often larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
- Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, color, or how it feels. It might also bleed or itch.
Signs and What to Look For
It is important to know the signs of skin cancer. Look for changes in your skin that do not heal. Watch for sores that do not get better. Also, look for discolored skin patches.
Pay close attention to your existing moles. Look for changes like uneven edges. See if a mole gets bigger or changes color. Notice if it feels different or starts to bleed. Other signs can be a painful spot that itches or burns. A large brownish spot with darker speckles can also be a sign.
If you notice any of these changes, it is a good idea to see a doctor.
What Causes Skin Cancer
The main cause of skin cancer is too much UV radiation. This comes from sun exposure. People who spend a lot of time outdoors, like farmers, are at higher risk.
Other things can also increase your risk:
- Light skin color: People with lighter skin have less natural protection from UV rays.
- Age: The risk of skin cancer increases as you get older.
- Smoking: Smoking tobacco can increase your risk.
- Family history: Some people inherit genes that make them more likely to get skin cancer. This includes having many moles or large birthmarks. Moles larger than 20 millimeters (about 3/4 inch) have a higher chance of becoming cancerous.
- Artificial UV radiation: Using tanning beds is very risky. The World Health Organization says tanning bed users are in the highest risk group for skin cancer. Tanning beds are believed to cause many cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer.
- X-rays: Exposure to Ionizing radiation like X-rays can also increase risk.
UV light damages skin cells by changing their DNA. These changes can lead to tumors and other growths on the skin.
How to Prevent Skin Cancer
You can do many things to lower your risk of skin cancer.
Sun Protection
- Use Sunscreen: Sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays. It is good for preventing melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Look for sunscreens with Zinc oxide and titanium oxide for broad protection.
- Avoid sunburn: Sunburns greatly increase your risk.
- Wear protective clothing: When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and sunglasses.
- Wear hats: A wide-brimmed hat can protect your face, ears, and neck.
- Seek shade: Try to avoid direct sun exposure, especially during the middle of the day when the sun's rays are strongest. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests that young people aged 9 to 25 should be told to avoid too much UV light.
Other Prevention Tips
- Avoid tanning beds: Tanning beds use UV light, which is very damaging to your skin.
- Do not use tobacco products: This can also help reduce your risk.
Some studies suggest that eating certain foods might slightly lower the risk of sunburns. However, this protection is much less than what sunscreen provides.
Scientists are also working on new ways to prevent skin cancer. For example, a study in 2022 showed that a special vaccine might help strengthen the skin's natural defenses against cancer.
Skin Cancer Around the World
| no data <0.7 0.7–1.4 1.4–2.1 2.1–2.8 2.8–3.5 | 4.2–4.9 4.9–5.6 5.6–6.3 6.3–7 7–7.7 >7.7 |
In 2010, skin cancers caused about 80,000 deaths worldwide. About 49,000 of these were from melanoma. The other 31,000 were from non-melanoma skin cancers. This number was higher than in 1990, when it was 51,000 deaths.
In the United States, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are found each year. This makes it the most common type of cancer in the country. About one in five Americans will get skin cancer at some point in their lives. Basal-cell carcinoma is the most common form, followed by squamous cell carcinoma.
Images for kids
-
Micrograph of melanoma, fine-needle aspiration (FNA), field stain
See also
In Spanish: Cáncer de piel para niños
