A mole or pigmented lesion can be the hiding place for a deadly cancer for nearly any college student.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. It accounts for 1 percent of all cancer deaths.According to the American Cancer Society, the occurrence of cancer increases with age, most cases will affect adults middle-age or older. It has been found that the incidence of melanoma, the worst type of skin cancer, rises rapidly in Caucasians after the age of 20.

Cancer is defined by the American Cancer Society as a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth. If not treated, the malignant cells may spread and become deadly.

The factors that cause cancer are both external and internal. Externally, chemicals, radiation and viruses have been blamed for cancer. These factors alter the cell causing cancer. Internally, hormones, immune conditions and inherited mutations are seen as causes.

But one of the top causes, according to the American Cancer Society, is prolonged exposure to sunlight. More than 90 percent of the skin carcinomas in the United States is attributed to exposure to ultra-violet rays. Skin cancer is divided into three forms: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma is the weakest of the three. According to American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the tumor usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule on the head, neck or hands. The nodules can also appear on the trunk of the body.

Dark-skinned people are less prone to basal cell carcinoma tumors. It has been found more often in people that frequently have light hair, skin and complexions.

The tumor can take from many months to one year to reach a diameter of a half inch. If the tumor is untreated, it will bleed, crust over and start this process again. The basal cell carcinoma rarely spreads, known as metastasizing, but it can cause a great deal of damage by extending below the skin to the bone.

Squamous cell carcina are tumors which can appear as nodules or scaly patches. These tumors are the second most common skin cancer found in Caucasians. Most of the time the tumors can be found around the face, the rim of the ear, the lips and the mouth. These tumors can develop into large masses. Unlike the basal cell carcinoma tumor, the squamous cell tumor will metastasize.

The squamous cell carcinoma tumors are rarely found on dark-skinned people. According to the AAD, it is estimated that 2,300 deaths are from non-melanoma skin cancers each year.

Malignant melanoma is the worst kind of cancer. It is more likely to get squamous and basal cell carcinoma skin cancer, but still 32,000 Americans will contract it annually. Malignant melanoma skin cancer kills 6,800 Americans a year, according the the AAD.

Even though contracting it is less likely in black skin, it is not a guarantee against this or any cancer.

In order for treatment to be completely successful, it is necessary for early detection. Treatment is on an individual basis, so it can vary. Early detection and periodic self-examination is recommended by the American Cancer Society.