FAQ's on Cancer

Skin Cancer

The skin has many purposes. It protects the body from injury and infection. It also helps regulate body temperature and excretes waste substances through the sweat glands. The skin is divided into two main layers. The layer nearest the surface is known as the epidermis and the layer underneath this is known as the dermis.

The epidermis contains three types of cells. On the surface are flat cells, known as squamous cells.

Under the layer of squamous cells are rounder cells called basal cells. In Black- or brown-skinned people have a very small incidence of skin cancer because the melanin pigment in their skin gives them protection. A fair-skinned person who tends to go red or freckle in twaxes, petroleum derivatives, hair dyes, cutting oils and arsenic. You should wear protective clothing if you are handling these substances frequently at work.

There are also some rare hereditary conditions that can lead to the development of skin cancer. between the basal cells are the melanocytes -- cells that produce the pigment, melanin. It is this pigment that gives skin its colour variations. Ultraviolet light from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Skin cancer is becoming more common and there could be several reasons for this. People are living longer (and so their lifetime sun exposure is greater). They often have more time and money for outdoor recreation and holidays in sunny climates and many still consider suntans to be healthy and attractive.

It is likely that most skin damage from ultraviolet radiation occurs before the age of 20. It is a build-up of overexposure to the sun over a period of several years which, it is thought, could lead to the development of these skin cancers.