Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers. It is estimated that more than one million Americans develop skin cancer every year. Early detection is the surest way to a cure. Develop a regular routine to inspect your body for skin changes. If any growth, mole, sore, or skin discoloration appears suddenly, or begins to change, see your dermatologist.
Precancers or Actinic Keratosis – are small, scaly spots that keep peeling and do not heal. They are commonly found on the face, lower arms, and back of the hands. They occur in light skinned people with extensive sun exposure. If not treated, these can become a skin cancer. Treating them early with cryotherapy (freezing), by applying a prescription chemotherapy cream, or with chemical peels will remove them and prevent the advancement to skin cancer.
Basal Cell carcinoma (BCC) – This skin cancer usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule on the head, nose, neck, back or hands. It is the most common and easily treated skin cancer. They occur in light skinned people with extensive sun exposure. These tumors do not spread quickly and take months to grow. If untreated, they will begin to bleed, crust over, heal and then the cycle repeats. They rarely metastasize, but spread locally invading deeper structures.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) – This skin cancer may appear as a bump, or as a red scaly patch on the rim of the ear, face, lips, arms, and hands. It is the second most common skin cancer in fair skinned people. Unlike basal cell, it can metastasize. When found early and treated properly, both BCC and SCC have a 95% cure rate.
Melanoma – This is the most deadly of all skin cancers and the least common, although 1 in 70 people are estimated to get melanoma. Melanomas can appear anywhere, but in men they are most commonly on the back and in women on the legs. It occurs in the skin cells that make pigment (that tan the skin) and mostly are dark brown to black (rarely red or white) spot or bump. Melanomas can appear suddenly without warning, in/near an existing mole, or in a large congenital mole. Like BCC and SCC’s, if caught early and treated, it is almost always curable. Melanomas tend to spread or metastasize, so early treatment is essential. The most important step you can take is to have any changing mole examined by a dermatologist. Use the ABCD’s to monitor changes:
- Asymmetry – One half of the mole doesn’t match the other half.
- Border irregularity – The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
- Color – The color is not uniform, shades of tan, brown, and black are present (rarely red, white & blue)
- Diameter – The width is greater than six millimeters (size of a pencil eraser) or growing rapidly.
Risk factors for melanoma are 1.) Family history of melanoma; 2.) Fair skinned, blue eyed person who does not tan; 3.) Person with greater than 50 moles or atypical moles; 4.) Having 3 blistering sunburns in childhood; 5.) having extensive freckling over the shoulders; 6.) Working an outside summer job as a teen.
Prevention / Protection
Overexposure to sunlight is the main cause of skin cancers. Although any race can get skin cancers, fair skinned people living in sunny climates have a much higher risk (Arizona has the 2nd highest incidence of skin cancer in the world). Following these steps can help reduce your risk of skin cancer or of getting a second skin cancer.
- Seek shade or stay indoors between 10am – 4pm
- Wear light colored, tightly woven protective clothing and wide brim hats (3 inches)
- Apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 – 30 to exposed areas. Reapply every hour. (Note: Sunscreens are not perfect and cannot block all the sunrays, so do not use them as an excuse to spend more time in the sun)
- Perform self-skin exams every 2-3 months (see below)
Periodic Self-Examination – Prevention of melanoma/skin cancer is the best weapon against these diseases. But if a melanoma should develop, it is almost always curable if caught in the early stages. Practice periodic self-examination to aid in early recognition of any new or developing lesion. The following is one way of self-examination that will ensure that no area of the body is neglected. To perform your self-examination you will need a full length mirror, a hand mirror and a brightly-lit room.