Skin Cancers

Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers. Its main cause is over exposure to sunlight, especially sunburn. Family history is also an important risk factor. In the treatment of any skin cancers, early detection and removal is the best defense. The majority of skin cancers are preventable. As the sun is the main culprit, the most effective protection is sun avoidance.

There are three main types of skin cancer:

Basal Cell Carcinoma:

BCC is the most common form of skin cancer in humans. This tumor of the skin usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule on the areas that exposed to the sun, namely, the head, neck and hands and occasionally on the trunck of the body, usually as flat growths. Although this type of cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it can extend below the skin to the bone and cause considerable local damage.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma:

SCC is another common form of skin cancer appearing on the outer surface of the skin (the epidermis). These tumors may appear as nodules or as red, scaly patches. It is typically found on the rim of the ear, the face, the lips and mouth. This cancer will develop into large masses and spread to other parts of the body.

Melanoma:

The most serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma may suddenly appear without warning or it may also begin in, or near, a mole or other dark spot in the skin. For that reason it is important that we know the location and appearance of the moles on our bodies so any change will be noticed. Melanoma can spread very quickly and once it penetrates below the surface of the skin, it becomes quite deadly. There have been no significant medical advances for the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma during the last 30 years. That is why it is important to detect melanoma early so that you can remove it whilst it is at its thinnest and least deadly stage.

Thinking ABCD can help you remember what to watch out for:

Asymmetry - The shape of one half does not match the other.

 

Border - The edges are often ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular in outline; the pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.

Color - The color is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, grey, red, pink, or blue also may be seen.

Diameter - Size changes and usually increases. Typically, melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter (the thickness of a pencil).

 

 

Evolution - Ordinary moles usually do not change over time. A mole that suddenly grows in size or rapidly becomes elevated is suspicious for melanoma.

Other warning signs include:

• a sore that does not heal

• any change in sensation such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain

• any change in the surface of a mole such as scaliness, oozing, or bleeding
  

Don’t delay, it may need immediate professional attention.

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When detected and treated early, melanoma skin cancer is nearly 100% curable.