FYI Cosmetics

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Knowing what skin cancer looks like is the first step in both identifying and eliminating it.  Saying that individuals should be looking for any skin abnormalities is grossly generalizing skin cancer, mostly because our skin can change and develop at any time, and those changes don’t necessarily relate to cancer.  There are specific warning signs that all individuals should be aware of regarding the presence of skin cancer; anyone who experiences any of these signs should have their skin screened immediately.  Below are the most common warning signs pertaining to skin cancer.

• Translucent pearl-shaped growth
• Mole that has grown quickly and may bleed or itch
• Mole with any ABCDE feature:
  • A – Asymmetrical – most freckles and moles are near perfect circles.  Moles that are not symmetrical are commonly the beginnings of skin cancer.
  • B – Borders are irregular.
  • C – Color varies.
  • D – Diameter that is greater than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser). Melanoma’s are usually greater than 6mm but can be smaller when first diagnosed.
  • E – Evolution in size, shape, color or texture.  Sudden changes in moles that have always looked the same.
• Brown or black streaks underneath fingernails or toenails
• Sore that heals and reopens on a repeated basis
• A smooth, waxy lesion
• Cluster(s) of shiny or scaly lesions that are pink or red in color and are slow growing

There are three different types of skin cancer which include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.  Each type has different warning signs; therefore it is important to be familiar with all so that you can detect skin cancer as early as possible.

Basal Cell Carcinoma: basal cell carcinoma accounts for over 80% of skin cancer cases worldwide, making it the most common form that individuals experience.  This type of cancer most often appears in areas that are over exposed to the sun, including the face, ears, scalp, neck, chest, hands, back and legs.  Basal cell carcinoma can take several forms including: small translucent growths that may be slightly pigmented and may contain small blood vessels, open sores that repeatedly bleed and heal and small clusters of slow growing pink or red lesions that can be shiny and scaly.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer and accounts for about 16% of new skin cancer cases in the United States.  Warning signs for this type of cancer commonly appear in sun exposed areas such as the face, neck, ears, scalp, arms and hands, however it can appear anywhere on the body including the lips, the inside of the mouth and the genitals.  Warning signs for squamous cell carcinoma include crusted or scaly areas on the skin, sores that do not heal, red, scaly bumps or patches and wart-like growth on plaque.

Melanoma: Melanoma accounts for only about 4% of skin cancer cases and is the most serious form of skin cancer, only because of its ability to spread rapidly.  Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, however it is most commonly found on the buttocks, back, legs, scalp, neck and behind the ears.  Melanoma most often develops in pre-existing moles, causing it to rapidly change in size, texture and color.  20% to 40% of all melanoma cases begin in an atypical mole which is why it is important to be aware of the moles you have and keep an eye out for any changes.

Studies have shown that with early detection, over 95% of skin cancer cases are cured.  Regular skin screenings with your dermatologist will allow for early detection for all types of skin cancer.

Source: Freckle Removal

Skin cancer is the number one form of cancer that afflicts men and women today and because there are several different types of skin cancer, over one million cases are reported annually throughout the country.  Our skin is by far the largest organ of our body and its main function is to encase and protect our bones, veins, tissue and essential organs.  The downside of our skin offering such efficient protection is that it’s continually subjected to damage caused by over exposure to the natural elements we face on a daily basis.  Skin cancer is quickly becoming a growing public concern because more cases are developed each year involving each of the types of skin cancer.  Because skin cancer is such a growing concern, it is important to know about the different types so that you can stop its spread before it starts.

The three types of skin cancer include Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma:

Basal Cell Carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma currently accounts for more than 90% of all skin cancer cases in the United States and is the most common form of skin cancer today.  This particular form of skin cancer is the least dangerous because it almost never metastasizes (spreads)

A basal cell carcinoma, one of the most common types of skin cancer. Source:www.Wikipedia.org

to other parts of the body.  This does not mean it should be taken lightly however; if not treated it can cause localized damage by growing and invading the surrounding skin tissue.  This form of skin cancer can be cause by heredity, but it is most often caused by age, sun exposure and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Basal cell carcinoma will begin as a small dome-shaped bump; texture is often described as shiny and translucent and commonly looks like a flesh-covered mole.  This type of skin cancer can take months or even years to become sizeable but should still be treated as soon as possible.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is a more invasive form of skin cancer; it begins in the squamous cells which are found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts and the lining of hollow organs of the body.  More often than not this type of skin cancer will be found on the surface of the skin; however it can reside in any of the above areas.  When found on the skin it appears as rough, red bumps and are most often found on the scalp, face, ears and hands; because they are primarily caused by sun damage, this cancer often appears against a background of sun damaged skin.  Squamous cell carcinoma can take over 10 years to fully develop, so it is important to screen any skin abnormalities that you may have.

Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer (and also the least common) is known as Melanoma.  Melanoma is the most invasive form of skin cancer; it develops in the skin cells known as melanocytes—the melanin producing cells that give the skin its color.  Moles form due to the grouping of melanocytes cells in the skin; most moles will remain non-cancerous throughout an individual’s lifetime, however sometimes these cell groupings can become malignant.  When this happens, the cancer cells can spread throughout the body very quickly, invading lymph nodes and vital body organs.  Continually monitoring skin abnormalities is the only way to stop melanoma before it spreads, so regular screening is imperative.

Speak with your dermatologist about all of the different types of skin cancer, the warning signs and the steps that should be taken should skin cancer develop.  Taking immediate action significantly reduces your risk of developing life threatening skin cancer, so regular dermatologist visits will ensure that you maintain proper skin health.