Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer Can Affect Everyone

Types of Skin Cancer

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

  

  BCC is the most common type of skin cancer. BCC appears on the skin in many shapes and sizes. You may see a dome-shaped growth with visible blood vessels; a shiny, pinkish patch; or a sore that heals, and then returns. BCC usually develops on skin that receives lots of sun, such as the scalp, nose, neck, and hands. BCC rarely spreads to other areas of the body, but it can grow deep into tissue and bone.

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

  

  SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer. SCC appears on the skin in many shapes. You may see a crusted or rough bump; a red, rough flat patch; a dome-shaped bump that grows and bleeds; or a sore that does not heal or heals and returns. SCC commonly develops on skin that is exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, lips, back of the hands, arms, and legs.

  SCC also can develop on areas of the body that are not exposed to sun, such as inside the mouth or on genitals. Smoking or chewing tobacco may increase the risk of getting SCC in the mouth or throat. Left untreated, SCC can spread to other parts of the body, making the treatment difficult.

• Melanoma

  This is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma may develop on normal skin or in an existing mole. A change to the shape, color, or diameter (size) of a mole can be a sign of melanoma. Other changes to watch for include a mole that becomes painful or begins to bleed or itch.

  Some melanomas develop on normal skin. A new growth, particularly one that does not match your other moles, could be melanoma.

  Melanoma also can be developed under fingernails or toenails. This will look like a brown or black streak underneath the nail.

  Although melanoma is more common in those with light colored skin tone, people with skin of color can also get melanoma. In such cases the melanoma usually appears on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, under the nail, in the mouth, or in genitals.

  ABCDEs of Melanoma Detection

  When melanoma is caught early and treated, the cure rate is nearly 100 %. Performing skin self-examinations can help you find skin changes that could be an early melanoma. When looking at your skin for signs of melanoma, it helps to keep in mind the ABCDEs of melanoma:

  A stands for ASYMMETRY; one-half does not look like the other half.

  B stands for BORDER; irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.

  C stands for COLOR; varied from one spot to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red, or blue.

  D stands for DIAMETER; melanomas are most often greater than 6 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller.

  E stands for EVOLVING; a mole or skin growth that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.

  Make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist as soon as possible if you notice a spot or mole on your skin that has any of these characteristics:

  • Fits any of ABCDEs of Melanoma
  • Differs from the other moles and spots on your skin
  • Changes, itches, or bleeds, even if the spot is smaller than 6 mm

  

• Actinic Keratoses (AK)

  

  Actinic keratoses (AKs) are common skin growths. AKs are considered precancerous and if left untreated, an AK may turn into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

  Most AKs are dry, scaly, rough-textured spots on the skin. AKs form on skin that receives lots of the sun, such as one head, including the lips and scalp; arms; and hands. Women frequently get Aks on the backs of their legs. AKs can form, disappear, and then return.

  ACTINIC KERATOSIS – READ MORE

Skin Examinations Can Find Skin Cancers Early

There are two types of skin examinations. A skin self-exam involves checking your skin for signs of changes. Your dermatologist performs the other type of skin examination. How often a patient should see a dermatologist for a skin examination varies from patient to patient. Your dermatologist will tell you how often you should have a skin examination. It is very important that you keep every appointment for a skin examination.

How To Examine Your Skin?

Early Treatment Has a High Cure Rate