Skin cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin. It is one of the most common types of cancer. Skin cancer appears as a change on the skin. It can occur anywhere but is found mainly on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms.
The 3 main types of skin cancer are:
Basal cell carcinoma accounts for over 90% of all skin cancers in the US. It is slow growing and seldom spreads to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma also rarely spreads, but it does so more often than basal cell carcinoma. Both basal and squamous cell are common in people who are regularly in the sun for long periods of time. Both have a high rate of cure when treated right away.
A melanoma usually develops from a mole. It is also caused by too much sun. Melanoma is not as common as the other 2 types of skin cancer, but it is more serious and more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Skin cancer is related to how much you are out in the sun without protecting your skin. Exposure to UV rays from sunlight or tanning beds is the most common and easily preventable cause. Most basal and squamous cell skin cancers appear after age 50, but the sun's damaging effects begin at an early age. Melanoma may appear at any time after puberty. Protection should start in childhood to prevent skin cancer later in life.
The risk of skin cancer is greatest for people who have fair skin that freckles easily. Frequently these are people with red or blond hair and blue or light-colored eyes. High-risk professions for skin cancer include farmers, construction workers, other sun-exposed outdoor workers, and vehicle drivers (their sun-exposed arm). Where you live can also be a risk. People who live in areas where there are high levels of UV radiation from the sun are at greater risk of getting skin cancer.
Many skin cancers occur on the face, but they can appear anywhere. Symptoms of skin cancer may include:
The earliest precancerous skin condition is keratosis. This is also called solar keratosis, senile keratosis, or actinic keratosis. It is a rough, scaly area of skin that forms on sun-exposed areas and does not go away. Your healthcare provider can easily treat this condition.
Your healthcare provider will:
The treatment for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is removal of the growth or to destroy the cancer completely with as small a scar as possible. The choice of treatment depends on the type of cancer and its size and position on the skin. Possible treatments are:
When a cancer is cut out, your skin will be numbed first so that you do not feel pain during the surgery.
If you have had skin cancer, you are at a higher risk for developing skin cancer again. You should be sure to have regular exams so that your healthcare provider can check your skin in treated areas as well as other places where cancer may develop.
Avoid being in too much sun. Wear clothing and hats that cover you, and stay out of the midday sun as much as possible. Use sunscreen lotions to protect against UV light when you are outdoors. The higher the SPF number (sun protection factor) of the sunscreen, the greater the protection. Use a lotion with an SPF of at least 15. For water sports, use a sunscreen lotion that does not wash off in the water. If you are allergic to PABA, use PABA-free sunscreen lotions. And remember that UV rays from the sun can cause sunburn or damage even on cloudy days.
Check your skin regularly and report any changes to your healthcare provider right away. If you are at high risk, see your healthcare provider for a baseline skin exam and regularly scheduled examinations as recommended.
Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
To get more information about skin cancer, talk to your provider or contact:
