Melanoma is far less common than basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, but it is much more dangerous in nature. Although basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are the most common skin cancers, the skin may be the site of other cancers. Nearly everyone likes a tan - it looks good and makes people feel healthy. But tanning is more dangerous and less healthful than you might think. The tan that many people strive for is the work of specialized skin cells known as melanocytes.
Melanocytes produce melanin, a pigment that darkens the skin.
Such damage is believed to lead to the development of skin cancer. Consequently, there are a growing number of people with skin cancer. The number of new skin cancer cases reported each year is increasing at an epidemic rate. At the present time, skin cancer is the most common cancer, accounting for nearly half of all malignancies. Sun exposure and loss of the ozone layer play a large role in cancer development among the growing population of individuals who are diagnosed with this disease.