Statistics records that skin cancer is serious and affects one out of five people in the US. The condition mostly develops on the skin that gets the most exposure to UV rays of the sun. But how do you prevent skin cancer? Your line of defense should be seeing a dermatologist Washington, DC, to examine your skin for any early signs of skin cancer. Regular skin check ups will reduce your risk for factors that may lead to skin cancer. The discussion below discusses the risk factors that may cause skin cancer.
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Genetics
You have an increased risk of developing skin cancer if you have a history of skin cancer in the family. Also, your risk increases if you have a previous skin cancer diagnosis. You may develop the condition again. Secondly, you may have inherited conditions affecting your skin’s repair ability after UV damage. Such conditions may increase your risk of developing skin cancer, which may occur early in life. Therefore, it may be necessary to schedule regular checkups to evaluate your skin and prevent the possible development of skin cancer.
Age
As you age, your risk of developing skin cancer increases, possibly due to the accumulation of UV rays from continuous sun exposure. However, skin cancer may develop even in younger persons, especially if you spend too much time in the sun. Continuous sunburns increase the risk of melanoma type of skin cancer.
Moles
Most moles developing in the body hardly develop into cancer. However, many moles will increase your risk for melanoma skin cancer. Also, having moles that resemble melanoma will increase your risk of cancer, although it may never develop into melanoma. You may need to check your skin regularly for any mole size and shape changes and if new ones are developing.
Lifestyle Factors
An unhealthy lifestyle may encourage the development of skin cancer. First, as a regular smoker, you may easily develop squamous cell skin cancer. Cancer may develop mostly on your lips. Secondly, chemical exposure to chemicals like coal, arsenic, and industrial tar may increase the risk of skin cancer. Also, working several hours outdoors increases exposure to UV light which may lead to skin cancer.
Previous Treatment
Undergoing treatment with radiation for skin conditions like acne and eczema may increase the risk for basal cell carcinoma. The area exposed to radiation may develop changes that can lead to skin cancer. Also, psoriasis treatment with UV light treatment and psoralen may lead to the development of squamous cell carcinoma, among other forms of skin cancer.
Immunosuppression
Your doctor may recommend immunosuppressants to treat autoimmune diseases mostly. Therefore, you may need to take precautions against the sun as you may easily develop warts and lesions that may cause skin cancer. You have an increased risk of developing squamous cell cancer from transplant medications.
Skin factor mostly develops from continued exposure to UV rays from the sun. However, the sun is not the only factor. You can be at risk for skin cancer if you have a family history and previous skin cancer diagnosis. Therefore, you can check your skin regularly for signs of unusual changes and keep up with appointments. You can lower your risk for skin cancer by learning about the risk factors and talking to your doctor about them. Early skin cancer detection will provide you with a chance at early treatment.
