Skin CancerWhat it is and how to prevent itSkin cancer is the most common cancer. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. In this presentation, I intend to discuss a little about each of these cases and explain ways to prevent and treat them. The most common first skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. This cancer develops in the basal or lower layer of the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. The cause of this cancer is a gene called patched or PTC, which helps control the growth and development of cells. If this gene is missing, defective, or damaged by ultraviolet radiation, rampant cell proliferation can result. Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as a small fleshy bump that most often appears on the head, neck, or hands. This type of cancer rarely occurs in African Americans, but they are the most common skin cancers in fair-skinned people. These tumors do not spread quickly. It can take months or even years for a plant to reach a diameter of half an inch. If left untreated, the cancer may begin to bleed, crust over, heal, and then the cycle repeats. The second most common skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer develops in the upper layers of the epidermis. Although this cancer is more aggressive than basal cell cancer, it grows relatively slowly and is more likely to spread to other places, including internal organs. Squamous cell cancer is usually found on the edge of the ear, face, lips and mouth. However, the condition is usually painless, but can become painful with the appearance of ulcers that do not heal. This cancer often arises from sun-damaged skin and usually appears by age 50. When detected and treated early and correctly, the cure rate with dermatological surgery is 95%. The third and most deadly skin cancer is malignant melanoma. This cancer develops in pigment cells, present throughout the basal layer. Although melanoma is almost always curable when detected early, it is responsible for three-quarters of all skin cancer deaths. About 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. About 7,700 people die from this disease each year. Melanoma can appear suddenly without warning, but it can also start in or near a mole or other brown spots on the skin..