Many people underestimate the lethal potential of skin cancer. While most skin cancers can be medically treated (surgically removable basal cell skin cancer, for instance) the danger lies in squamous skin cancers, and also in metastasized cancer. Metastasized cancer occurs when the cancers cells spread to other organs. This can prove fatal because the cells can spread to the lung, liver, or brain. So, it is important to understand the risk factors for developing skin cancers.

Blue Eyes, Pale Skin, Red Hair

There have been studies that have shown that individuals with blue eyes are more susceptible to certain types of skin caner, namely melanoma. People with blue eyes ( and also those with red hair) have been found to have a much higher likelihood of developing skin cancer. This has to do with the fact that blue eyed people and red haired people tend to be fair skinned (and therefore have less melanin in their skin.) The lack of melanin is thought to be the culprit. Melanin protects the skin from the harmful UV radiation. Those people who are fair skinned, blue eyed, and have red hair, are less protected from the suns dangerous rays.

Tanning Addicts

Many people think that avoiding the sun will save them from danger, but that's not the truth. Artificial sun can be just as damaging. The sun tanning beds that are used to darken the skins are actually dangerous. Don't make the mistake of thinking that because these are machines, that they are safe. The UV light they produce to darken the skin has been linked to skin cancers. The mistake most tanners make is that they think that a tanning bed is safer than tanning out on the beach, under the natural sun. The tanning bed is more convenient, but it is not safer. There have been studies that have shown that teens who use these tanning beds are more likely to develop, skin cancer.

Unusual Moles

If you have odd shaped moles on your body, then you need to be on guard for skin cancer. These moles are also referred to as dysplastic nevus, or atypical moles. Their size and shape will be odd and irregular. They might turn into skin cancer. A good way to check the mole is to do the eraser test. This involves a pencil eraser. Compare the mole to the eraser, as described in the article. It should be symmetrical, and small. Make sure to check it over time to see if it is growing. If it grows, then it is cause for concern. If the mole is small, circular without any variation, then it is safe. However, it is crucial that you keep an eye on the size o the mole. If it gets larger, then this is a warning sign.