What is skin cancer

Skin cancer is the fastest growing type of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer represents the most commonly diagnosed malignancy. More than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2007.
Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin (Uncontrolled proliferation of skin cells) which can have many causes. The cells of a cancerous growth originate from a single cell that reproduces uncontrollably, resulting in the formation of a tumor. Skin cancer generally develops in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), so a tumor is usually clearly visible. This makes most skin cancers detectable in the early stages. Skin cancer is often subdivided into either melanoma or non-melanoma. Each of the three common types of skin cancer, is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises. Melanoma is a tumor arising from a skin cell capable of making the pigment melanin (a melanocyte). Non-melanoma skin cancer most often originates from the external skin surface as a squamous cell carcinoma or a basal cell carcinoma. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice, and sun protection has been shown to dramatically reduce the incidence of this illness. Cancers caused by UV exposure may be prevented by avoiding exposure to sunlight or other UV sources, wearing sun-protective clothes, and using a broad-spectrum sun screen.