Many people love the warm sun.

The sun's ray s make us feel good, and in the short term, make us look good. But our love affair isn't a two way street: Exposure to sun causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. Consider this: One woman at age 40 who has protected her skin from the sun actually has the skin of a 30-year-old! We often associate a glowing complexion with good health, but skin color obtained from being in the sunor in a tanning boothactually accelerates the effects of aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer. Sun exposure causes most of the skin changes that we think of as a normal part of aging. Over time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers breakdown, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily taking longer to heal. So while sun damage to the skin may not be apparent when you're young, it will definitely show later in life.

How does the sun change my skin?

Exposure to the sun causes:

Pre-cancerous (actinic keratosis) and cancerous (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) skin lesionscaused by loss of the skin's immune function

Benign tumors

Fine and coarse wrinkles

Freckles

Discolored areas of the skin, called mottled pigmentation;

Sallownessa yellow discoloration of the skin;

Telangiectasiasthe dilation of small blood vessels under the skin;

Elastosisthe destruction of the elastic tissue causing lines and wrinkles.

What causes skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of all cancers in the U.S. and the number of cases continues to rise. It is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. This rapid growth results in tumors, which are either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are less serious types and make up 95% of all skin cancers. Also referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancers, they are highly curable when treated early. Melanoma, made up of abnormal skin pigment cells called melanocytes, is the most serious form of skin cancer and causes 75% of all skin cancer deaths. Left untreated, it can spread to other organs and is difficult to control. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the number one cause of skin cancer, but UV light from tanning beds is just as harmful. Exposure to sunlight during the winter months puts you at the same risk as exposure during the summertime. Cumulative sun exposure causes mainly basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer, while episodes of severe sunburns, usually before age 18, can cause melanoma later in life. Other less common causes are repeated X-ray exposure, scars from burns or disease and occupational exposure to certain chemicals

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Skin Cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK. Each year in the UK there are more than 76,500 cases of non melanoma skin cancer and more than 9,500 new cases of melanoma skin cancer. Symptoms of skin cancer There are three principal types of skin cancer, and different cancers can have different symptoms and appearances. The most common is basal cell carcinoma, affecting a type of cell within the top layer of skin. Its a slow growing cancer, and doesnt usually spread to other parts of the body. BCC affects all sun exposed areas of the body and the main symptom is a small painless lump, pink/brownish-grey in colour, with a smooth surface with blood vessels and a waxy or pearl-like border. The lump grows, developing a central depression with rolled edges. The second type, involving another type of cell in the top layer, is called squamous cell carcinoma, and again is not known for its aggression. SCC usually affects the face. The main symptom is an area of thickened, scaly skin and develops into a painless, hard lump, reddish brown in colour with an irregular edge. The lump becomes a recurring ulcer and doesnt heal. These two types are known as non-melanoma skin cancer are usually slow growing and occur on sun exposed areas of the skin and rarely spread. Melanoma skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body and is more dangerous. Its related to the common mole and changes in the appearance of moles on your body should be checked by your GP. Malignant melanoma tends to spread much more rapidly through the bloodstream than the other two types of skin cancer. It affects the cells which produce the skin's colouring, and if not treated successfully can spread to affect the liver, lungs or brain. The main symptom is a quick-growing, irregular, dark-coloured spot on previously normal skin or in an existing mole that changes size, colour, develops irregular edges, bleeds, itches, crusts or reddens. If an adult has a growing, changing, brown or black mark which cannot be covered by the blunt end of a pencil, this should be shown to the doctor straight away.

Occasionally, melanoma skin cancer may present with swollen lymph glands or rarely in unusual places including the sole of the foot, mouth or eye. If melanoma is diagnosed, then further tests will be done to see if the cancer has spread beyond the skin to other parts of the body. This may involve taking x-rays and scans to look at the liver, brain and lungs. To find out if its skin cancer, and, if so, what sort of skin cancer it is, a doctor will carry out a biopsy, removing all or part of the suspicious growth which is then analysed. Skin cancer - causes and risk factors Although scientists have found that those with lighter skin are far more vulnerable to skin cancers, the main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to the suns harmful UV rays. A suntan isnt healthy; in fact its a sign of skin damage. The results of sunbathing are skin that ages more quickly and an increased risk of cancer. Its thought the UV radiation in sunlight causes subtle cell damage which can lead to cancerous changes. Non melanoma skins cancers result from prolonged sunlight exposure over many years. The main cause of melanoma skin cancer is exposure to short periods of intense sunlight; the kind of exposure people get on a two-week holiday. Rates of skin cancer of all sorts are extremely low among dark-skinned people and men are more likely to develop cancers on their neck, shoulders and back, whereas in women the cancer is more likely to appear on the legs and arms Skin cancer - treatment and recovery Diagnosis of skin cancer can usually be made by your GP or hospital specialist by simple skin examination. Sometimes, the skin cancer will need to be removed by a small operation or biopsy; both for treatment and lab testing. Other routine tests, including X-rays and scans arent usually required. Non-melanoma skin cancers are usually treated by a common operation to simply cut out the affected area under local anaesthetic. Another method used on smaller cancers is cryosurgery, in which liquid nitrogen is applied to the tumour to freeze it and kill the cells, which simply shrivel and drop off once warmed up. Some cases of basal cell carcinoma may be suitable for photodynamic therapy - which uses a cream to sensitise the tumour - then exposes it to high intensities of light to destroy it. In the case of melanoma, if there is a suspicion that the cancer may have spread beyond the skin layer, chemotherapy or biological treatment such as interferon may be given to attempt to eradicate skin cancer cells in other parts of the body. About 1,800 people die from melanoma skin cancer annually in the UK. Even so, nearly 80 per cent of men and over 90 per cent of women are alive at five years following treatment. Preventing skin cancer The best way to prevent skin cancer is to avoid too much time in the sun. You don't have to be sunbathing to get burned. You can get too much sun while walking to the shops, driving a car with the windows down, even under light cloud cover. Time of day and location are important too. The intensity of UV radiation increases during the middle of the day, between April to September, nearer the equator and at higher altitudes. How to protect yourself and your children:

Stick to the shade between 11am and 3pm Cover up with clothes, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses Apply a high-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF15 and three stars) regularly Drink plenty of water to avoid overheating Avoid using sun lamps or sunbeds

Watch those moles Many moles aren't cancerous, but it's vital to keep an eye on any you have. Watch out for moles that change shape or colour, become bigger, itchy or inflamed, or that weep or bleed. If you notice any changes or are worried, get them checked by a doctor.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/cancer/skincancer1.shtml

Effects of Sun
Sunburn. Overexposure to the sun can happen in just a few hours. A bad reaction includes tenderness, pain, swelling, and blistering, and may include fever, chills, and nausea. While there is no cure for sunburn, wet compresses, cool tub baths, and soothing lotions may help. If you have a bad burn, see your dermatologist. Tanning. Some people think that a tan means good health and looks. Dermatologists know that a tan does not prevent sun damage, it is sun damage. Tanning occurs when the UV rays penetrate the skin and injure the pigment cells. The effects are cumulative, and with every burn, the skin becomes more damaged. Premature wrinkling. People who work or lay in the sun without sufficient protection get sagging cheeks and deep wrinkles that may make them look much older. The sun can also cause unsightly red, yellow, gray, or brown spots and scaly growths that may develop into skin cancer. Skin cancer. Skin cancer is caused by too much sun, both long-term exposure and bad sunburns. More than 90 percent of all skin cancers occur on parts of the body exposed to the sun. The face, neck, ears, forearms, and hands are the most common places for skin cancer to develop. The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma usually appears as a small, shiny, fleshy nodule on the exposed parts of the body. It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body; but it can severely damage skin around and below it. When diagnosed and treated early, it has a high cure rate. Squamous cell carcinoma typically develops on the face, ears, lips, and mouth, beginning as a red scaly patch. It also has a high cure rate when detected and treated early but left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma can spread to other areas of the body and can be fatal.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and usually appears as a dark brown or black lump with irregular edges. Sometimes, it is multicolored with shades of red, blue, or white. If ignored, melanoma can spread or metastasize to other areas of the body, which can be fatal. Eye damage. The sun can cause cataracts and other eye damage. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness. Immune system suppression and disease. Short periods of sun exposure can damage the human immune system and make the body more susceptible to infections and cancers. Also, some diseases can become worse with sun exposure. These include herpes simplex (cold sores), chicken pox, lupus, and certain genetic problems.

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