One of the most common cancers in the world today is skin cancers, or more accurately, there are three forms of cancer of the skin, as there are 3 main types of skin cancer.
The most common, and least dangerous is a so called rodent ulcer, or basal cell carcinoma, followed by the skin cancer called Squamous cell carcinoma and finally we have what I would consider to be the most well known form of skin cancer, which while it is the most lethal is also the rarest; malignant melanoma.
Although malignant melanoma is the rarest, because it is the deadliest, it is worth having a quick look at what it is. This cancer that is responsible for about 1 per cent of cancers is a tumor in the cells that create melanin, the melancytes. In case you wanted to know, melanin is the pigment that gives you your sun tan, and gives your skin the color it has normally. It is also responsible for the color of your eyes and your hair, which means that malignant melanoma, can also affect the eyes and not just the skin.
It is comforting to know that at least for now, skin melanomas are very uncommon in children, but because half of all the sun exposure the skin gets happens before the age of 18, and the time it needs to develop, it is critical to prevent your children from getting sunburns.
With growing pollution, diminishing ozone layer and more knowledge of what UV rays can actually do, there is a growing realization that sun exposure can be very bad for us and that we need to protect ourselves from these ultra violet lights. It is very clear that it is the sun that is causing the problems as the number of people with skin cancer varies depending on country, the tropical countries with large Caucasian populations having the highest incidents of skin cancer. Countries like Australia, South Africa and southern American states with a lot of sunshine and Caucasian population have skin cancer incidences that are directly proportionate with the amount of sunlight and size of the Caucasian population.
Darker skin types like those of us with an African American or Asian background get better protection against the sunlight because of their darker skin coloring.
Ultra violet light is part of the sunshine and it is that light that is causing the problem. UV light come in different types, but they are all essentially bad for pale skin, and particularly babies and children are very much at risk because they have thinner skin than adults.
The instances of skin cancer have doubled every 10 years for the last 40 years. This ties in with when cheap vacations to sunnier climates were introduced and now that they are more widely available and sunbathing is such a popular past time, skin cancer instances are set to continue this rise unless people begin to take the necessary precautions to prevent getting burnt by the hot ultra violet rays from the sun.
Skin Cancer and Our Pets
We worry about getting skin cancer for ourselves, our partners and our children, but perhaps we should also be worrying about the prospect of our pets contracting this potentially deadly disease. Most people would be surprised to learn that the pet dog or cat they love so much is also susceptible and care must be taken when they are outside as well. This means that during peak sun shining hours it’s best not to put your dog outside for too long. Make sure there is a shaded spot in their area.
Although not all of our pet’s skin cancer is caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays a certain percentage of it definitely is. When it comes to the reasons that dogs and cats develop skin cancer the sun is only one answer. Other reasons include hormones, viruses, burns, inoculations and a genetic predisposition to skin cancer. This last reason is just like humans who have more risk for skin cancer because it runs in the family.
Just like fair skinned blond humans are more at risk so are light colored dogs and cats. White dogs and cats would be at the higher end of the risk scale. As well, any places where the animal has particularly thin hair are danger spots. This would be the stomach, or inside of the hind legs for dogs and the ear tips, pink noses and around the eyes for cats. Also either cats or dogs whose breeds are hairless. They have no protection from the sun’s rays. The dog breeds most at risk for skin cancer include dalmatians, pit bulls, pull terriers and pointers. Interestingly, when skin cancer attacks dalmatians it is only the white areas that are affected. The cancer is known to go around the black spots.
Like humans skin cancer usually hits later in life. So, once your dog or cat has reached around nine years old it is best to begin check-ups every six months. If it’s found early enough your pet will have a better survival rate. But that is not enough. A lot can happen in six months. It’s important for you as a pet owner to be aware of how your dog or cat normally behaves. If they are in pain or discomfort their normal behavior will change and that is a signal to you to take them for a thorough physical check-up. You may also see changes in eating habits, weight loss or a disinterest in playing or going for a walk. If you see a difference in a mole of other sore that looks wrong to you get your pet to the vet quickly.
Oddly your pet my hide their illness from you to make sure they don’t let you down. They are sensitive to the moods of their owners and want to please them. Sometimes animals hide their symptoms out of fear. They do not want others to know they are ill because that makes them weak and weakness in the wild means death.
Skin Cancer Differences in Darker Skinned People
There is a misunderstanding among minority people that skin cancer is a Caucasian problem only. It is most certainly not. Although, studies tell us that it is more common among lighter skinned people they also tell us that it is more deadly among those with the darkest skin.
Melanoma, the deadliest of the skin cancers, affects only ten percent the number of African Americans, and five percent the number of Hispanic Americans, as it does members of the white American population. Part of this is because skin cancer is more likely to be a problem for someone with fair skin, blond or red hair and light colored eyes. The paler the skin the more likely you will burn which damages your skin. As a matter of fact a child who has suffer five or more serious burns is at a much high risk for skin cancer later in life.
People with darker complexions often have skin cancer in more unusual places then their lighter complexioned counterparts. Light skinned people discover skin cancer on their upper torso, legs, and faces or even on their scalps. People with darker skin are more likely to have skin cancer on the palms of their hands, soles of their feet, toenails or in the mouth or nose.
Unfortunately because many darker skinned people believe that old wives tale that says because their skin is darker they cannot get skin cancer it is not taken very seriously by enough minority people. Although their darker skin protects them from burns the truth is that they should be working just as hard to protect their skin form the sun as anyone else. African Americans should wear hats, use sunscreen and avoid the sun at its peak hours. They should protect their children from the suns ultraviolet rays. And when they see something suspicious on their skin, a mole that looks wrong, a sore that won’t heal, they should go to their health care provider immediately. See a dermatologist and learn quickly if there is something that needs attention or not. Its always better to have a doctor tell you there is nothing to worry about then to hear that you shouldn’t have waited so long to come in for a check-up.
Some studies question the reasons for skin cancer in darker skinned people. Based on some of the areas of the body that skin cancer develops, areas that are not highly exposed to the suns ultraviolet rays, researchers question the role of the sun in skin cancers for African Americans. They still insist on the same precautions being taken but admit not having conclusive proof as to the cause. Nor do they understand why it is so much more deadly to someone with darker skin, but it is.
Like all people, minority people with darker skin should learn to do self-examination every couple of months. It may seem like an unnecessary hassle but by taking ten to fifteen minutes to check yourself over you could save your life.
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