Melanoma, Carcinoma, Cancer
Who wants to talk about skin cancer? No one. Ever. However, early detection is key, and many can be prevented so it’s worth a few minutes of our time. There are a few different types of skin cancers: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common. These slow growing lesions begin in the lower region of the epidermis and usually occur on areas that see the most sun such as the face, neck, and head. Squamous cell carcinoma also emerges on sun exposed skin but affects the outermost layer of the skin. Melanoma is the most dangerous. It can develop from a pre-existing mole, but in most cases a new mole or lesion emerges, and both can spread to other parts of the body. You can see skin cancer from the outside, so regular examination of skin is vital in catching and treating this disease.
So, what should you look for? If a new spot appears, make note (take a picture) and pay attention to whether it changes or evolves. It can first appear pink and crusty, as a black or brown spot, as a lump, a mole, or even as an area of blood vessels under the skin. If it crusts, scabs or bleeds and doesn’t heal within a month, that is cause for concern. If you have any concerns, please seek medical advice from a dermatologist. Yearly checkups with a dermatologist, who is trained in spotting cancerous lesions, is a great way to insure early detection.
But do you know what’s better than early detection? Prevention! So avoid tanning beds at all costs, and if you’re going to be out in the sun, put on that hat, slather on the sunscreen, and cover up. Your investment now will result in healthy skin down the road, and don’t we all want healthy skin?
Paul, Sharad. “Saving Skin.” Dermascope, Nov. 2022, pp. 25–27.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/about/what-is-basal-and-squamous-cell.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer.html
https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/what-are-the-different-types-of-skin-cancer/