Skin cancer is a common condition. It affects all races, but it is very widespread among Caucasians since they like to do sunbathing. If you are like the million of internet users who had searched for pictures of skin cancer, you will surely be scared and is going to search on ways to avoid that condition.  This article, talks about the basics of skin cancer and some preventive techniques which people can employ so that they could protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun.

Skin cancer can be considered as a collective term for three cancer conditions: melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. It is one of the most widespread types of cancer found among people, and it has been anticipated that a million get diagnosed of this disease every year.

Among the three cancer types, carcinoma seems to be the most widespread as accounted for, 90% of skin cancer patients. Basal cell carcinoma caused from too much exposure to UV rays, which come from the sun and tanning booths. There are tanning booths that use UV-ray free, but still most of these machines make use of UV rays so that they could give their patient a naturally tanned look.

When looking at skin cancer pictures, basal cell carcinoma is going to come out like a small bump in the skin with visible blood vessels. The appearance is shiny and might look like a mole. Biopsy needed in diagnosing basal cell carcinoma.

Those people who have a fair skin are at a big risk factor when it comes to the progression of squamous cell carcinoma. The habit of sunbathing and having fair skin is a dangerous combination when it comes to the development of this condition. Squamous cell carcinoma also differs from basal cell carcinoma in a way that squamous cell carcinoma can metastasize to other areas of the body.

Among the three types, melanoma considered as the most dangerous skin cancer. Most of the deaths have been credited to melanoma, as compared to those of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. With melanoma, there is a need to observe for the development of new moles or a change in size and shape of an old mole. Once that you notice some changes, consulting a doctor would be a wise move.

The best way to protect a person from skin cancer is to avoid that sun. That would be too hard. The next best way to protect our skin from the sun is to make use of umbrellas, light jackets or sweaters, long sleeved shirts and the like.

If there is friends or officemate, that you cannot decline their invitation to go to beaches. Apply some sun block before bathing in the sun.