Skin cancer accounts for the largest number of cancer cases in humans today. This kind of cancer creating a alarm amongst healthcare providers and consumers. The reason behind the increasing number of skin cancer is that our deteriorating environment have affected the protective ozone layer, and this is why we do receive the more strong ultra violet radiation, or UV rays at a higher rate. And the dangerous part of this is that it is only going to continue to increase, until and unless we find ways to stop the depletion of the ozone layer.

According to the U.S. National Institute of Health, the exposure to UV rays is the main cause of basal cell carcinoma. Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, which represents over 90 percent of the skin cancer cases in the U.S. The people who have light-colored or fair skin, or have had excessive sun exposure over a number of years, and are older than 50 years of age are most likely to have this form of cancer. However, it does not mean that the damaging sun exposure occurred later in life, but that is when it typically converts to cancer. But, the good thing about this cancer is that it normally does not spread; and only in some rare cases, it can develop where there has been little or no sun exposure, such as chest, back, arms, legs and scalp. It is mostly found on the hands and face.

The location where you live also has to play a great role in getting this cancer. If you live in a location where the sun is very strong you are more likely to develop skin cancer. For instance, locations nearer the equator, like Australia, and South Africa, are known to have some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. In the United States, the southern states have a higher rate than the northern states.