Skin Cancer - Six Reasons This Disease Is Increasing At Epidemic Proportions

20-year statistics from cancer centers and foundations.

Nationwide, since 1987, non-melanoma cases, such as, squamous and basal-cell carcinomas, have increased by at least 250%. Also, since 1986, melanoma cases (the deadly kind) have increased by only 3%. For example, in 1988, one clinic in the Kansas City area treated 300 patients. It now treats about 8000 patients a year and up to 20 melanomas (the deadly kinds that can spread throughout the body) a month.

Six reasons for the increase.

1. Over exposure to the hot sun. Too much UV-ray exposure to the hot sun is a major overall cause of skin cancer, particularly for the light-skinned people who burn easily or are allergic to it. This exposure occurs while sunbathing at beaches or swimming pools, attending events in uncovered arenas, or during daytime activities in the sun.
2. Not wearing sunscreen or protective clothing. Quite a few people seem to be invulnerable to the sun rays. As a result, they do not wear sunscreen or enough clothing while in the sun. Yet, a wide-brim hat is a good way to protect the face, head, and neck, where many of these cancers occur.
3. Not checking out moles or sore spots carefully. Certain dark moles should be reported to ones personal doctor or dermatologist, and then treated. Small sore spots (lesions) that come and go, or heal very slowly could also be reported and examined by them
4. Depletion of upper-level ozone layer. This depletion allows more UV-radiation (both A & B types) to reach the earth's surface. These rays are considered one of the causes of these cancers today as well as other skin allergies and diseases.
5. Use of tanning booths. Artificial tanning is highly suspected of causing these cancers for the same reasons. One Skin Cancer Foundation statistic shows people exposed to tanning booths in childhood have a 75% greater chance of getting melanoma later in life than those who are not exposed to them.
6. Increased awareness and better treatments. More people today are aware of potential skin cancers and their treatments. So, they report them for examination and treatment. Minor surgery is the standard for removing most skin lesions if caught early. Cryosurgery (freezing), electrodessication (scraping/burning/drying), and topical chemotherapy (chemical ointment) might also be used. Newer treatments are being researched.

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