Skin Cancer, like all other forms of cancer is caused when the cells are exposed to some kind of external environment. A person who has skin cancer has an abnormal growth of skin cells which is basically caused by an overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. But many a times, many of those who are exposed a lot to the ultraviolet rays of the sun do not develop skin cancer, the reason being that people who are sensitive to the rays get this disease. Everybody has some amount of melanin in the body. Melanin helps the body to defend itself from the rays of the sun, it therefore turns the skin brown or gives it a tan; this prevents the skin from getting burnt. But some people have low amounts of melanin and their skin turns red rather than brown in the sun and thus the skin burns before getting a tan(it may not even tan).
Side Effects of Skin Cancer
There are various effects that skin cancer could have on the body. One such effect is called Basal cell carcinoma, which is a form of skin cancer. It will appear as a red or a brown mark on the skin. It can initially be flat but later on be a raised portion on the skin. This is generally benign and could appear anywhere in the body. It is usually seen on that part of the body that is exposed directly to the sunlight. The second kind is called Squamous cell carcinoma which is another form of skin cancer. This is also normally found on the areas on the body that are exposed to the sunlight. This may or may not spread to the other parts of the body. It normally spreads to the cells surrounding it. So if it is on the surface of the skin you will notice a brown or a red mark that keeps getting bigger and bigger over a period of time. The 3rd effect is called Melanoma which is also a form of skin cancer; it is the most serious and rarest form of skin cancer. It could appear anywhere on the body even on those parts that are not exposed to the sunlight like the feet. It can be noted as a small brown spot and this gets larger and forms a lump under the skin. This form of cancer is malignant. When this interferes with the surrounding tissues and organs to the extent of destroying them, it marks the beginning of the problem.