If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
People that spend a lot of time outdoors for work or other activities or have a skin type that is sensitive to the sun are advised to be screened for skin cancer at least once a year. During this screening they will be checked out for any changes in the skin that look suspicious. Along with supervised screening it makes sense to screen yourself from time to time for any moles or blemishes that have appeared. Your chances of identifying potential problems are improved if you know a bit about the disease. This article will cover the three types of skin cancer detailing the characteristics of each and possible treatments.
There are 3 types of skin cancers. The first two are the most commonly diagnosed types of the disease. They are also the most treatable because in most cases the disease does not spread but is localized to a particular part of the body. They are easily treated in most cases however on rare occasions they may spread making early diagnose all the more important.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It will normally manifest as a waxy bump on the skin. It may also appear as a flesh or brown colored mark. It is typically found on the face, neck, chest and back but can occur anywhere on the body.
As most cases of basal cell carcinoma are benign and do not spread to other parts of the body treatment is relatively easy and effective. The bump or mark is simply cut out or frozen and removed. This can be done in 30 minutes at a doctor’s surgery.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is similar to basal cell carcinoma and has the same methods for treatment. However it is more liable to spread than the other type and therefore needs to be treated immediately it is diagnosed.
Squamous cell carcinomas are noticeable as a red nodule or bump that can appear on the face, neck, hands or arms. On rare occasions it can appear on the lips or ears. The bump is generally firm to the touch. In more advanced stages it may appear as a scaly, crusty lesion that will appear where the bump used to be. Again, provided it has not spread it can be cut out or frozen.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the least common of the 3 types of skin cancer however it is the most serious of the three, especially if it goes undiagnosed or untreated. Of the three it is most likely to spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes and vital organs of the body. If this occurs (known as metastasizes) then it becomes difficult to treat and may involve chemotherapy and other aggressive treatments. Early detection is crucial for a melanoma but they are often very hard to identify. This is why it is important to get a screen once a year by a professional in the diagnose of skin cancer.
It is important to be aware of the three types of skin cancer as you can be alerted to any potential skin problems with this knowledge. However it is far better to prevent skin cancer from occurring than ever having to go through a procedure to remove skin cancers. Prevention means limiting your exposure to ultraviolet rays either by avoiding them or wearing some form of protection against them.
