|
Treatment
|
|
Prevention & Care
|
|
Related
|
|
|
Skin Cancer Risk Assessment Test
Answer the quiz as best as you can. If you have a question that you are not sure about, make an approximation, or skip the question and move ahead.
Note: The quiz will not tell you whether you will or will not develop skin cancer, but it is intended to provide you with a rough guideline of your susceptibility to it.
Outdoor occupations inevitably increase the risk of skin cancer, as the skin is exposed to UV rays on a regular basis. This may be a major reason that men are more vulnerable to developing actinic keratosis and skin cancer.
Using proper sun protection on a regular basis is very important. A lot of damage is being done on a regular basis, not just when you go out to the beach. Using proper sunscreen can protect most of the damage that is being done.
Protective clothing can help to protect your skin from overexposure. All clothes have a natural sun protection factor. Making conscientious choices in this area can make a big difference over time.
It is said that up to 80% of a person's lifetime exposure occurs before they reach 18 years of age. While this is a difficult statistic to confirm or deny, it is true that youth provides many opportunities for sun exposure. Teaching your kids to protect themselves from the sun can greatly reduce skin problems later in life.
Unfortunately sun damage is cumulative and bad habits in the past can come to haunt you later. It is important to remember, however, that it is never too late to start protecting your skin.
Smoking accelerates many skin problems, and weakens the immune system, making it more susceptible to problems like skin cancer. Aside from skin cancer, smoking is proven to cause a large number of other health problems.
Stress is a common factor in skin problems. While there is no direct correlation between skin cancer and stress levels, it is well known that excess stress can weaken the immune system, which will make the body less able to control growths like skin cancer.
Exercise helps to keep the body strong, and the immune function working properly.
Regular check-ups with a dermatologist is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from skin cancer. Almost all cases of skin cancer, if discovered early, are curable. If this is not a practical solution, perform a quick body check, or have your body check once a month. A few months can save your life. These measures are especially important if you are otherwise in a high risk category.
Genetics play a large factor in cancer, and skin cancer is no exception. If your immediate family has a history of skin cancer, you may be at higher risk than others so take the proper precautions.
Genetics play a large factor in cancer and skin cancer is no exception.
Those with darker skin color have a natural layer of protection from the sun's UV light. Those with pale skin who burn are particularly vulnerable to skin problems like actinic keratosis and skin cancer.
The elderly are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer for various reasons. First, they have accumulated more sun damage over the years, and skin cancers which are slow to develop may occur many years after the initial damage was done.
Moles are often associated with potential cancerous growth. While the chances of a mole growing into cancer is very low, there is always a possibility that this could happen. People with a large number of irregular moles are considered high risk, and should visit a dermatologist for routine check-ups.
Skin cancer is primarily a disease that is caused by sun damage. While various genetic factors also play a role, minimizing sun damage will greatly minimize anyone's risk of developing skin cancer.
A major factor in total sun exposure is where one lives. Those who live in areas with strong sunlight need to be extra diligent in taking proper measures to protect their skin.
Cancer has a tendency to recur, and this is particularly true in skin cancer. In the case of skin cancer, it is thought that the existing skin damage that caused the skin cancer is also causing trouble.
Skin cancer is a serious risk in those who have a weakened immune system. AIDS patients, organ transplant patients, and those who otherwise have a compromised immune system are at a much higher risk of skin cancer than the rest of the population. If you are at high risk, visit a doctor as soon as possible.
|