Skin cancer due to sunburn

The biggest known risk factor for the development of skin cancer is the exposure to UV radiation. In contrast to the dark-skinned population, the white population is particularly at risk because they lack the protective color pigment. Long-term exposure to UV radiation causes damage to the genetic material that is located in the skin cells.

This damage can lead to changes in certain genes that are responsible for the development of skin cancer. Particularly light skin is unprotected against the sun’s radiation, so that the damage to skin cells when exposed to strong radiation leads to sunburn after only a few hours. The skin reddens and as a result of the cell death blisters appear and the skin begins to peel off.

When the sunburn heals, the top layer of skin renews itself again. The pigment cells are protected from cell death compared to the superficial skin cells. The damage to the genetic material caused by UV radiation accumulates and can degenerate over the course of life. For this reason, one should begin to avoid excessive exposure to the sun and, above all, sunburn in childhood.

Skin cancer on moles

Moles are benign proliferations of cells that produce the pigment melanin. Therefore, they usually appear brownish to black and can develop all over the body. On the one hand, birthmarks can be congenital, but on the other hand they can also develop in the course of life.

Especially people with a light skin type often have more moles than people with a dark skin type. The small dark spots are usually benign, but can also degenerate over time and develop into black skin cancer. Moles that change in size, extension, color and shape should be urgently examined by a dermatologist.

Such moles cause a strong proliferation of atypical cells. They are a precursor of black skin cancer, but do not necessarily degenerate. If a birthmark is conspicuous by its irregular shape, is difficult to distinguish from its surroundings, has changed in its color gradient and has grown extremely fast recently, the risk of developing skin cancer is very high and should be urgently examined.

However, a final diagnosis can only be made by examining a tissue sample obtained. Persons who have a particularly large number of moles should have an annual check-up by their dermatologist. Screening has been introduced for the early detection of skin cancer and is paid for every two years by the statutory health insurance companies from the age of 35 onwards.