How Does Skin Cancer Start?

Introduction

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 60,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the United States. During the same year, a little over 8,000 people will die from the disease. Skin cancer occurs when skin cells become damaged. Normal skin cells replicate at a precise rate to be able to shed old skin cells and build new ones. However, when skin cells become cancerous, they grow out of control. The dividing cells lump together and form tumors. These tumor cells, if left untreated, can then spread throughout the body, eventually causing death.

UV Rays

Skin cancer starts with UVA and UVB ultra violet rays. These rays can come both naturally from the sun, as well as artificially through tanning bulbs and other artificial sunlight products. These rays are actually forms of radiation, and when exposed to this radiation over even a brief period of time, can do much damage to the skin cells.

DNA

When your skin cells are damaged by ultra violet rays, the area most sensitive to cancer development is the DNA inside the cell. DNA is the material that makes up the genes of your skin cells, and other cells throughout your body. The genes in your skin cells are responsible for managing the functions of the cell whether it be the reproduction and growth of the cell, or just its overall health. When the DNA is damaged by the rays, the genes become damaged as well. This can cause the cell to grow uncontrollably into tumors, which are the first signs of skin cancer.

Metastasis

As the skin cells grow, the damaged DNA cells can metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body including the organs. Here they can start replicating until tumors can be found throughout the body. These tumors eventually make it hard or impossible for your vital organs to work correctly and can eventually kill you if not treated in time.

Resources

• Skin Cancer Foundation