Very appropriate this summer to talk about the sun and skin cancer. We also know that a little sun exposure activates the famous vitamin D at the skin level. In fact, exposing the forearm to the sun for twenty minutes three times a week is enough to activate vitamin D and is healthy.
Exposing oneself to sunlight excessively is known to be a risk for various types of skin cancer. Not to mention wrinkles and having skin that is shriveled and aged due to the damage that UV (ultraviolet) rays cause to the skin.
The types of skin cancer vary from bad to very bad, from invasive and destructive to progressively destructive. Many types of skin cancer are curable, especially if 
diagnosed in time.
UV rays do not only come from the sun. Tanning beds or “tanning salons” emit these dreaded UV rays and are not recommended.
Countries where the sun shines all day, like some states in Brazil, Australia, and other countries, are especially hit by very high numbers of skin cancer. It is so common that statistics get lost. Doctors cure these cancers but do not notify health authorities, and statistics are not rigorously calculated.
Basal cell carcinoma is a very common type of skin cancer, appearing in the basal layer of the epidermis. Although these tumors have a low potential for metastasis (spreading), they can be locally invasive and can be destructive to the skin and surrounding structures.
Basal cell cancer is the most common in white-skinned people, and its incidence is rising worldwide. Basal cell cancer is associated with exposure to UV rays, especially during childhood.
Most other risk factors act through an interaction with UV ray exposure.
About 70% of cases of this type of cancer affect the face and head. The most common presentation of this basal cancer is nodular and superficial, representing 90% of cases.
Biopsies are important to determine the cellular subtype of the cancer, especially when there is doubt in the diagnosis, such as: no family history of skin cancer, the lesion exhibits a typical appearance of recurrence, or when the tumor is atypical.
Once the diagnosis is established, appropriate treatment offers a high probability of cure, even though the patient is at greater risk of developing other skin malignancies.
Another type of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Also linked to exposure to UV rays.
This type of skin cancer can develop on any skin surface, including the head and neck (55%), torso, extremities, oral mucosa, skin between the nails, and anogenital areas. But more commonly, this cancer appears in areas more exposed to the sun. Involvement of cancer in parts of the skin less exposed to the sun is more common in dark-skinned individuals.
Usually, squamous skin cancer manifests as erythematous papules (reddish skin elevations), plaques, or nodules. Ulceration or hyperpigmentation is also common.
Squamous cancer can appear in wounds.
Enjoy the summer but be careful.
DR. ALBERT LEVY
Family Practice Physician
www.manhattanfamilypractice.com