Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Cancer occurs when normal cells undergo a transformation during which they grow and multiply without normal controls. Skin Cancer As the cells multiply, they form a mass called a tumor. Tumors are cancerous only if they are malignant, which means that they encroach on and invade neighboring tissues because of their uncontrolled growth (eMedicineHealth). Tumors may also travel to remote organs via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This process of invading and spreading to other organs is called metastasis.
Tumors overwhelm surrounding tissues by invading their space and taking the oxygen and nutrients they need to survive and function (eMedicineHealth). The greatest cause of skin cancer is the exposure to Ultraviolet light or also known as sunlight. Other risks factors include the usage of tanning booths, exposure to unusually high levels of x-rays, and people who have contact with certain chemical like arsenic, hydrocarbons, oil, and soot. The MCR1 gene receptor plays an important role in normal pigmentation. The receptor is primarily located on the surface of melanocytes, which are specialized cells that produce a pigment called melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.
Melanocytes make two forms of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin(“MC1R – melanocortin 1 receptor Genetics Home Reference”, 2014). The relative amounts of these two pigments help determine the color of a person’s hair and skin. People who produce mostly eumelanin tend to have brown or black hair and dark skin that tans easily. Eumelanin also protects skin from damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight. People who produce mostly pheomelanin tend to have red or blond hair, freckles, and light-colored skin that tans poorly.
Because pheomelanin does not protect skin from UV radiation, people with more pheomelanin have an increased risk of skin damage caused by sun exposure. The melanocortin 1 receptor controls which type of melanin is produced by melanocytes. When the receptor is activated, it triggers a series Skin Cancer of chemical reactions inside melanocytes that stimulate these cells to make eumelanin.
If the receptor is not activated or is blocked, melanocytes make pheomelanin instead of eumelanin (“MC1R – melanocortin 1 receptor Genetics Home Reference”, 2014). As far as genes that can contribute to skin cancer the MCR1 gene can be inherited. Other genes that can also be passed down from parent to child are the CDKN2A gene and the MDM2 gene. Gene mutations that are not inherited are the BRAF gene, F16 gene, the EGF gene, and the Fas gene (DiChiara, 2009) Even though some genes that can make someone more susceptible to skin cancer are genetic there are many ways in which a person can prevent getting sun cancer.
According to the CDC’s article “What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Skin Cancer? ”, staying in the shade during midday hours, wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs, wearing a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck, wearing sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays, and the use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher can protect someone from UV rays.
Skin Cancer Works Cited CDC – What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Skin Cancer? (2014, January 22). Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://www. cdc. gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm DiChiara, T. (2009, May 4). Cancer Genetics and Melanoma – Understanding Melanoma Risk and Cancer Genetics. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://skincancer. about. com/od/riskfactors/a/melanoma_genes. MC1R – melanocortin 1 receptor Genetics Home Reference. (2014, April 7).
Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/gene/MC1R Skin Cancer Types, Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Treatment and Prevention on eMedicineHealth. com. (n. d. ). eMedicineHealth. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://www. emedicinehealth. com/skin_cancer/article_em. htm#skin_cancer_overview.