7 Secrets Doctors Hide About Skin Cancer

• Understanding various types of skin cancer, some of the first signs of skin cancer, what causes skin cancer and skin cancer detection are the keys to helping you prevent skin cancer
• Blood blisters are one example of many potential skin cancer warning signs
• Many non-invasive procedures and treatments exist that will combat skin cancer

Skin cancer can be very serious and life threatening, so understanding the risks and all the factors involved by giving all the information you need to be successful is extremely important. There are several secrets about skin cancer that your dermatologists may not tell you up front.

1. Blood Blisters Can Be a Warning Sign of Skin Cancer

If you develop blood blisters that are not the result of injury, especially under your toenails, see your doctor as soon as possible. Blood blisters that appear for no reason are a little known warning sign of skin cancer, and should be thoroughly checked out to rule out skin cancer. If your doctor brushes off your concern or refuses to follow up and eliminate possible skin cancer, find another doctor.

2. A Second Opinion May Save Your Life

There are several different types of skin cancer, so a proper diagnosis is crucial in determining whether the cancer can spread or not. Unfortunately, deaths occur every year because of a diagnosis that is wrong, and this gives the cancer time to spread. Getting a second opinion is very important if you have been diagnosed with skin cancer.

3. X-rays and Prescription Medication Treatments Can Cause Skin Cancer

Many people may receive radiation treatments or x-rays as part of the treatment plan for many medical conditions, including other cancers and adolescent acne. This treatment method can result in skin cancer later in the future, but this fact may not be made available to the patient before these treatments are started. Some medicated skin creams, like many used to treat psoriasis and eczema, may contain arsenic or other ingredients which may cause cellular changes that can result in skin cancer.

4. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infections Can Be a Major Cause of Skin Cancer

This virus is linked in reports and medical research with cervical cancer in women, but the fact that these viruses can cause skin cancer is not widely known. The viruses cause changes in the DNA of the cells that can lead to skin cancer.

5. There Are Medical Treatments for Skin Cancer that Are Non-Invasive

And they use creams to try and resolve the problem, with no surgical procedures or cutting required. The creams used for these treatments include ingredients that will attack and destroy cancerous cells, help to stimulate your immune system response, or both. These treatments may be very uncomfortable and possibly even painful, because they instantly produce irritation and inflammation in the skin to help fight off and destroy the cancer cells. For aggressive cancers these treatments may not be an option.

6. Sunlight Is Not Only a Cause of Skin Cancer but Also a Treatment for It

Sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer, but ironically, this substance can also be an effective preventative and treatment for skin cancer as well. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has classified ultraviolet radiation, such as sunlight, as a proven carcinogen in humans. Sunlight in small doses is needed for the vitamin E processes in your body, and research has shown that in moderate amounts this substance can prevent and help treat many cancers, including skin cancer. Even patients who get malignant melanoma but have high exposures to sunlight are better off, because the survival rate for them is higher than those with this cancer and smaller exposures to sunlight.

7. Depression Can Increase the Risk of Skin Cancer

People who suffer from depression have a higher risk of developing skin cancer because of many different factors. Depression will lower your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight precancerous cell changes. Some medications prescribed for depression may also contribute to a higher risk of skin cancer. If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression, the cure may be a UV light or tanning lamp, and this can also increase your risks for skin cancer.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.