Skin Cancer

What is skin cancer, and how does it develop?

Skin cancer is the most common of all types of cancers. Fair-skinned people who sunburn easily are at particularly high risk, while exposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight or tanning beds) is the most common factor in its development. Other less common factors include a family history of skin cancer, scarring from diseases or burns, repeated x-ray exposure, and occupational exposure to compounds (i.e. coal tar and arsenic).

What are the different types of Skin Cancer?

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.

BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and it appears frequently on the head, neck, and hands as small, pearly or pink bumps, nodules or red patches that may bleed or never completely heal. Most have no symptoms. Untreated, the cancer can bleed and eventually can extend below the skin surface to bones and nerves, causing considerable local damage. Most are easily treated and cured. BCC never spreads to other parts of the body or lymph nodes like other cancers can.
SCC is the second most common skin cancer and appears most commonly on sun-exposed areas of fair-skinned individuals. SCC can develop into large masses and become invasive. Unlike BCC, a small number SCCs can spread to other parts of the body, usually lymph nodes, so it is important to get early treatment.
Melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers. Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the pigment-producing skin cells that make the skin tan. Melanoma can metastasize (spread), making early detection and treatment essential. Melanoma may appear suddenly or begin in or near a mole, or another dark spot in the skin, or on the skin where there was no mole previously. Early melanoma can be removed while still in the curable stage. Excessive sun exposure, especially sunburn, is the most important preventable cause of melanoma. Other risk factors include a family history of melanoma, light-skinned individuals, and a large number or atypical moles.

Warning signs of melanoma include:

Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half in size, shape, color or thickness.
Border Irregularity: The edges are ragged, scalloped or poorly defined.
Color: The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown and black are present. Dashes or red, white and blue add to the mottled appearance.
Different: Most moles on an individual should all look fairly similar. If a mole looks a lot different that a person’s other moles (also called the “ugly duckling sign”), it should be checked.

How is Skin Cancer treated?

If a skin biopsy reveals cancer, various medical and surgical procedures can be used to treat it, depending on the type, its location and the individual patient. Surgical treatments include excision, and electrodessication and curettage (ED&C), which involves alternately scraping and cauterization of the tumor. Other, less common methods include radiation treatments and topical chemotherapy products in certain instances.

What steps can I take to prevent Skin Cancer?

Develop a regular routine of inspecting your body for any skin changes. If a growth, mole, sore or skin discoloration appears suddenly or begins to change, see a dermatologist immediately. Have an annual skin examination by a dermatologist, especially if you have a significant past sun exposure or family history of skin cancer.

How can I prevent skin cancer?

Overexposure to ultraviolet light (sunlight or tanning lamps) is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Consider taking the following steps to reduce your risk:

Use sunscreen on a daily basis, even on cloudy days and in winter.
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, where possible.
Seek shade. Remember, the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Protect children from sun exposure.
Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements.
Avoid tanning beds. UV light from the sun and tanning beds causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen while in the sun.