Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Fortunately, if caught early, it can often be easily treated, especially if it is basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer. There are also several ways to lower your risk of developing skin cancer, but it's most important to know the signs and symptoms of the types of skin cancer so that if you do end up developing the disease, you can have it dealt with as soon as possible.
Types
There are three common types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. Basal-cell skin cancer is the most common type of skin cancer; it is usually slow-growing. Squamous-cell skin cancer is the second most common type; it is more dangerous than basal-cell skin cancer as it can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is the rarest form of skin cancer, but it is also the most dangerous.
Symptoms
Basal-cell skin cancer usually occurs on the hands, head or neck, although it can also show up on your torso. It looks like a bump or a flat skin-colored or brown lesion. Squamous-cell skin cancer can also appear as a flat lesion or a bump, but the bump will be red and the lesion red or scaly. Melanoma has many different appearances but it often appears in a mole or dark spot on the body (see "Additional Resources," below, for photographs of different symptoms).
Risk Factors
The lighter your skin, the more at risk you are for skin cancer. Blondes, redheads and people who freckle or burn quickly are especially at risk. However, it's important to remember that people of any color can develop skin cancer. If you have lots of moles, a family history of skin cancer or you live in a sunny or high-altitude area, you're also at higher risk of skin cancer. Radiation treatment also raises skin-cancer risk.
Prevention
The easiest way to prevent skin cancer is to stay out of the sun completely. However, that's easier said than done. Cover up when you're going to be in the sun, and use sunscreen. You should also stay away from tanning beds. To ensure early detection, look yourself over for any changes in your skin, or make a yearly appointment with a dermatologist. It's especially important to know the "ABCDE" system of finding melanomas (see "Additional Resources," below, for more information).
Treatment
There are many types of treatments for skin cancer, depending on the type of cancer and how far it has advanced. Most treatments involve surgery to remove the skin cancer. If the surgery is on a prominent part of the body such as your face, your surgeon may pick a treatment that minimizes scarring. Other treatments include freezing off small tumors, curettage and electrodessication, during which the physician scrapes away cancer cells and kills off the rest using an electric needle. Radiation and chemotherapy are used if surgery can't be done or if skin cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
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