There are many different types of skin cancer. The three most common types - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma — account for 95 percent or more of all skin cancers that are seen. The most common of these three cancers is basal cell carcinoma. It is also the least life threatening.
Basal cell carcinoma occurs most frequently on the face. People with fair skin and a history of sun exposure are most at risk. Fortunately, this cancer does not have a tendency to spread. It does, however, often enlarge and involve normal tissue, so early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer. It also occurs in direct response to sun exposure and in fair-skinned people. This cancer can appear in many different forms. It has the capacity to spread to the lymph glands and beyond, so early detection and treatment is even more important.
The third most common and most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. This cancer is very aggressive. It has the ability to spread to many different areas of the body. Its spreading ability is directly related to the extent of the tumor in the patient at the time of discovery. Early detection and treatment are absolutely essential.
Warning Signs
A squamous cell carcinoma often appears as a crusty lesion that will not heal. It tends to be hard, nodular and crusty. It can also appear as an ulceration. This cancer can appear suddenly or in a long-standing inflammatory lesion such as a burn scar or a chronic bed sore. Any kind of situation that causes skin cells to reproduce more actively over a long period of time can promote the formation of a squamous cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinomas characteristically have a raised pearl-colored edge with tiny blood vessels that appear to be winding over the surface. This cancer tends to be nodular and ulcerated in the center.
Melanoma is a cancer of the pigmented cells in the skin. Therefore, if a new mole appears or if there is a change in an existing pigmented lesion such as a mole, you should have it examined by a qualified physician as soon as possible.
I also suggest you use the A-B-C-D rule for identifying melanomas.
- A is for asymmetry. If you have a pigmented lesion that is not round or oval, it should be removed and biopsied.
- B is for border. If the edge of a lesion is irregular or notched, it should be removed and biopsied.
- C is for color. If a lesion has more than one color, for instance tan in one area and pinkish in another, it should be removed and biopsied.
- D is for diameter. A rule of thumb is that a lesion should be no larger than a pencil eraser. If it is larger than an eraser, it should be removed and biopsied.
With early detection and proper treatment, the cure rate for skin cancer can be as high as 99 percent. Of course, prevention is the best course of action. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. If you are going to be outside, use the most effective sunscreen available. Apply it 30 minutes before going into the sun and reapply after swimming or if you perspire heavily. For greater insurance, wear sun protective clothing in addition to using sunscreen.
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With skin cancer on the rise, don’t forget the UV protective clothing! Surfers have used rash guard shirts for years but it’s just recently that the SPF 150+ protection these shirts provide while you’re in the water has been discovered by the rest of the non-surfing, beach going population.
Comment by SurferDude — May 19, 2008 @ 9:24 am