Every summer the media is perpetuated with warnings about skin cancer, and especially for those of us who live up in the north. Most of us are under the common misconception that skin cancer only effects those who live in places like Florida, or far off in Australia. Well I am here to tell you that skin cancer has one of the highest numbers of fatality out of all the western world's most preventable diseases.

The main reason this is the case is because we all fail to read the warning signs. I'd bet that the vast majority of readers have never even heard of actinic keratosis, yet is one of the most dangerous of all skin conditions as it often leads to cancer. So how do we escape skin cancer? First we must learn a few basic points about actinic keratosis. Only then can we attempt to detect it, treat it, and most importantly prevent it.

WHAT IS ACTINIC KERATOSIS?

For those of you who are unaware of actinic keratosis, or more commonly known as solar keratosis, it begins as a scaly or crusty bump that arises on the skin's surface. The base may be light or dark, tan, pink, red, a combination of these, or the same color as your skin. Over time the lesion may itch, become inflamed or in extreme cases, bleed.

The abnormality develops slowly and generally reaches the size of an eighth to a quarter of an inch, and a high quantity may appear at the same time. Actinic keratosis is most likely to appear on the face, ears, scalp, neck, backs of the hands and forearms, shoulders, and lips. Most predominately, parts of the body most often exposed to sunshine. People may also have up to 10 times as many subclinical (invisible) lesions as visible, surface lesions.

WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?

Actinic keratosis is the first step in the development of skin cancer which is why it is so commonly referred to as a precancer. When left untreated, about two to five percent of these lesions may progress to squamous cell carcinomas and the more keratosis that you have, the greater the chance that one or more may turn into skin cancer.

HOW IT CAN BE PREVENTED

- Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, especially during the sun's peak hours

- Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and UV-blocking sunglasses

- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher

- Examine your skin from head to toe once every month.

- Visit a skin professional for appraisal every year

- Act swiftly on the discovery of any abnormalities and unusual inflammations

- Exfoliate dead skin cells and apply moisturizing cream every day

ALTERNATIVE SKIN CANCER PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Because skin cancer can be formed from the dry, scaly inflammation patches experienced with actininc keratosis, looking after your skin on a consistent basis can be highly beneficial. The frequent application of an irritation-free moisturizer will sooth any itchiness or irritation experienced. Meanwhile, the daily application of a non-toxic exfoliate is an effective treatment for keratosis due to the removal of precancer cells, stimulating the growth of new, healthy cells.

Natural skin care treatments such as Bioskincare make this course of treatment even easier. Because of its 100% natural exfoliate properties, it is one of the simplest treatments for actic keratosis as it effortlessly erodes the keratosis cells, eliminating the lesions before they have a chance to grow. As Bioskincare also acts as a deeply penetrative moisturizer, it works just as effectively for keratosis pilaris treatment plans as well. Best of all, as Bioskincare is 100% natural there is no risk of unwanted irritation, or the nasty side effects associated with other treatment plans and solutions.