Not all cancers are the same. Some are deadly from diagnosis, but others are not. Skin cancer is preventable and treatable, but many people fail to take the steps to avoid it. You wake up one morning and your shoulder is sore and there is a drop of blood on your pillow. You look in the mirror and see a blemish oozing. The diagnosis is skin cancer. Can you imagine sitting there after being told you have cancer. All those problems in your life might seem a bit trivial. In fact, you might feel a bit idiotic considering you could have prevented skin cancer. Cancer and death, the two words just go together notwithstanding the experiences of Lance Armstrong. Skin cancer is often treatable. More importantly, you could have prevented it. The layers of your skin, with the epidermis being typical, are where you will find skin cancer. In nominal terms, the cancer is an atypical growth in the cells of the particular layer. If you like to go out in the sun, you are probably already aware of the risks. That being said, it is important to understand that a good tan does not lower your risk. Also, short periods of exposure can be just as deadly if you burn. “Skin cancer” is actual a global term for a health risk that can be caused by a number of problems. That is to say, you don’t get skin cancer per se. You get one of the following. If you are particularly unlucky, you will be diagnosed with Malignant melanoma. It is a killer. If not treated early, it will spread and is fatal. Fortunately, it is the least common diagnosis. Strange as it may sound, the second sub-cancer can be hereditary. It is basal cell. It is also the most frequently diagnosed skin cancer. The good news is it is rarely fatal and can be treated. Our final sub-category of skin cancer is Squamous cell. It falls somewhere between the previous two. It is diagnosed less than basal, but more than melanoma. It can even have a hereditary element. If treated early, it is curable. If not, it can be fatal. Getting cancer is a horrific thing, particular since there is often little you can do to prevent it. Skin cancer is a different story. If you take basic steps, you can prevent it. Laziness. It is the biggest factor in skin cancer episodes. Skin cancer is a result of exposure to the sun. If you take the steps to limit the damage of that exposure, you can cut your risk of skin cancer to next to nothing. Am I suggesting you stay inside all the time? Of course, not. Just wear sun block to protect your fragile skin. If you are balding, throw a hat on. Nothing is worse than skin cancer on the noggin.