Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Science

Skin cancer can occur during any stage of life in which skin cells start to grow in uncontrolled way and get accumulated due to damage to their DNA and start to grow in an uncontrolled way. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the principle causative factor for development of skin cancer. Ozone depletion and chemical exposure are other factors involved in precipitating skin cancer. Skin cancer is of two types, namely: malignant melanoma & non-malignant melanoma. Mutation of p53 gene is involved in UV induced carcinogenesis. P53 acts vital in development of squamous cell carcinoma. Regular application of sunscreen could be one of primary prevention. The purpose of review is to outline the types, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of skin cancer.