rockin'robin
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Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. More than one million cases of the disease are diagnosed every year, surpassing the numbers for lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. Checking your skin regularly for signs of possible skin cancer means you're more likely to catch it early and get more effective treatment. What are the three types of skin cancer you need to know about? Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.
Signs of Basal Cell Skin Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It appears as a raised soft lump or a red patch on sun-exposed areas of the body. This skin cancer appears most often on the head or neck, and somewhat less often on the arms and legs. Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing cancer that only rarely spreads to other areas of the body. But if left untreated, it can extend deep below the skin and cause local damage and scarring.
Signs of Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
The second most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer, may take the form of a firm bump or a scaly, red patch. It appears most commonly on the top of the ear, the lower lip, the face, neck, and head, and on the hands, arms, and legs. Squamous cell skin cancers are more aggressive than basal cell cancers; besides causing local damage, they can metastasize, or spread, to other areas of the body. Of the 250,000 people diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer annually in the United States, about 2,500 will die from this dangerous skin condition.
Signs of Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma accounts for only 3 percent of all skin cancers, but it causes 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths. Malignant melanoma develops on sun-exposed areas of the skin, as well as inside the eye, in the mouth, and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet — and it usually starts in a skin mole. Malignant melanoma often occurs at a younger age than other skin cancers; it is the most common type of cancer in people aged 25 to 29.
Checking Moles for Melanoma
Risk factors for malignant melanoma include having fair skin, a history of sunburns, a family history of melanoma, or having more than 50 moles on your body — the average person has about 30 moles. A change in an existing mole is the most common sign of early malignant melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends checking for the ABCDE's of melanoma: asymmetry, border change, color change, diameter change, and evolution of any change that makes one mole look different than others.
Actinic Keratosis: An Early Warning for Skin Cancer
The skin condition known as actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis, may be an early warning sign for some types of skin cancer. Keratoses are the rough, raised, scaly spots that are commonly seen on sun-exposed areas of older people's skin. The spots range in color from brown to red and can be found on a bald head, the face, a forearm, or the back of a hand. It is estimated that 40 to 60 percent of squamous cell skin cancers begin as actinic keratoses.
Diagnose Skin Cancer Early
The key to surviving skin cancer is early diagnosis. The survival rate for malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is 99 percent if the cancer is discovered and treated before it penetrates below the outer layer of skin. Regular self-examination is the best way to find skin cancer early. Check every part of your body. Use a mirror and good lighting. Get assistance from a partner. Be on the alert for any scaling, oozing, or bleeding of moles or other spots on the skin. And tell your doctor about any new growths or changes in freckles or moles.
Treatment for Skin Cancer
If your doctor suspects skin cancer, a biopsy will be done to make the correct diagnosis. There are many different types of skin cancer treatments available, depending on the type of cancer, the size, depth of invasion, and the location. Precancerous growths and skin cancers can be removed by simple surgical operations or by laser surgery. Freezing, chemotherapy, chemical peeling, dermabrasion, and a type of light therapy called photodynamic therapy are also effective approaches that can be used to treat skin cancer.
Lower Your Risk of Skin Cancer
Remember, if you have fair skin, you are at the greatest risk for skin cancer. The best way to prevent the disease is to limit sun exposure. Even though most skin cancers appear later in life, you get about half of your lifetime sun exposure before age 40. Start protecting yourself from skin cancer now by using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Wear protective clothing and put on a wide brimmed hat in the sun. Avoid tanning beds, which substantially increase your risk for all skin cancer types.
Three Skin Cancers You Should Know About - EverydayHealth.com
Signs of Basal Cell Skin Cancer
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It appears as a raised soft lump or a red patch on sun-exposed areas of the body. This skin cancer appears most often on the head or neck, and somewhat less often on the arms and legs. Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing cancer that only rarely spreads to other areas of the body. But if left untreated, it can extend deep below the skin and cause local damage and scarring.
Signs of Squamous Cell Skin Cancer
The second most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer, may take the form of a firm bump or a scaly, red patch. It appears most commonly on the top of the ear, the lower lip, the face, neck, and head, and on the hands, arms, and legs. Squamous cell skin cancers are more aggressive than basal cell cancers; besides causing local damage, they can metastasize, or spread, to other areas of the body. Of the 250,000 people diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer annually in the United States, about 2,500 will die from this dangerous skin condition.
Signs of Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma accounts for only 3 percent of all skin cancers, but it causes 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths. Malignant melanoma develops on sun-exposed areas of the skin, as well as inside the eye, in the mouth, and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet — and it usually starts in a skin mole. Malignant melanoma often occurs at a younger age than other skin cancers; it is the most common type of cancer in people aged 25 to 29.
Checking Moles for Melanoma
Risk factors for malignant melanoma include having fair skin, a history of sunburns, a family history of melanoma, or having more than 50 moles on your body — the average person has about 30 moles. A change in an existing mole is the most common sign of early malignant melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends checking for the ABCDE's of melanoma: asymmetry, border change, color change, diameter change, and evolution of any change that makes one mole look different than others.
Actinic Keratosis: An Early Warning for Skin Cancer
The skin condition known as actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis, may be an early warning sign for some types of skin cancer. Keratoses are the rough, raised, scaly spots that are commonly seen on sun-exposed areas of older people's skin. The spots range in color from brown to red and can be found on a bald head, the face, a forearm, or the back of a hand. It is estimated that 40 to 60 percent of squamous cell skin cancers begin as actinic keratoses.
Diagnose Skin Cancer Early
The key to surviving skin cancer is early diagnosis. The survival rate for malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is 99 percent if the cancer is discovered and treated before it penetrates below the outer layer of skin. Regular self-examination is the best way to find skin cancer early. Check every part of your body. Use a mirror and good lighting. Get assistance from a partner. Be on the alert for any scaling, oozing, or bleeding of moles or other spots on the skin. And tell your doctor about any new growths or changes in freckles or moles.
Treatment for Skin Cancer
If your doctor suspects skin cancer, a biopsy will be done to make the correct diagnosis. There are many different types of skin cancer treatments available, depending on the type of cancer, the size, depth of invasion, and the location. Precancerous growths and skin cancers can be removed by simple surgical operations or by laser surgery. Freezing, chemotherapy, chemical peeling, dermabrasion, and a type of light therapy called photodynamic therapy are also effective approaches that can be used to treat skin cancer.
Lower Your Risk of Skin Cancer
Remember, if you have fair skin, you are at the greatest risk for skin cancer. The best way to prevent the disease is to limit sun exposure. Even though most skin cancers appear later in life, you get about half of your lifetime sun exposure before age 40. Start protecting yourself from skin cancer now by using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Wear protective clothing and put on a wide brimmed hat in the sun. Avoid tanning beds, which substantially increase your risk for all skin cancer types.
Three Skin Cancers You Should Know About - EverydayHealth.com
I never heard of that till now. That's new to me.