I would really like to enjoy more time out in the sun, but I'm worried I might get skin cancer. Any advice?
It definitely should be a concern. There's actually three types of it, with the basal-cell, squamous-cell, and melanoma types of skin cancer.
Well I've heard of melanoma before, but what's going on with those other two types? Are those more serious?
Not always. Basal-cell cancer, for example, can occur slowly and result in tissue damage where it is, but it's not likely to spread through your body or kill you.
Oh okay, yeah metastasis is a big cancer baddie. Which of those am I more likely to get just hanging out in the sun for a little while every day?
Skin cancer
Skin cancers are cancers that arise from the skin. They are due to the development of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. There are three main types of skin cancers: basal-cell skin cancer (BCC), squamous-cell skin cancer (SCC) and melanoma. The first two, along with a number of less common skin cancers, are known as nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Basal-cell cancer grows slowly and can damage the
Squamous cell skin cancer
Squamous-cell skin cancer, also known as cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma (cSCC), is one of the main types of skin cancer along with basal cell cancer, and melanoma. It usually presents as a hard lump with a scaly top but can also form an ulcer. Onset is often over months. Squamous-cell skin cancer is more likely to spread to distant areas than basal cell cancer.
The greatest risk factor is high total exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Other