Skin cancer is a type of cancer that absolutely everyone should be concerned about. This deadly illness can affect any person, and if left undiagnosed or untreated, it can spread throughout the body. That’s why, if you’re concerned about skin cancer, you need to know the facts about this disease. And fortunately, you can search online to learn more about skin cancer.
Skin cancer happens when abnormal cells in your epidermis, or the skin’s outer layer, begin growing out of control. These cells can come together to form tumors, and they become one of the many different types of skin cancer. But there is good news: if you can catch skin cancer early, you may be able to have it completely eliminated.
In order to detect skin cancer in its earliest stages, you need to know the facts about this disease. And you need to know what you should look for. Here are a few facts about skin cancer that everyone should know.
Skin Cancer Can Have Many Symptoms
You might think that skin cancer is obvious when it initially forms. After all, it’s easy to see what’s happening on the surface of your skin. However, skin cancer can be tricky to detect – and it can appear in a number of different forms, with varying symptoms.
Skin cancer typically develops on areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun. This includes the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands, and legs. But skin cancer can also also appear in areas that rarely see sunlight, like your palms, under fingernails and toenails, and in the genital area. So, that means that skin cancer can truly appear anywhere on the body.
Each type of skin cancer brings on different symptoms. You should look for the following symptoms, which may be a sign of certain types of skin cancer.
Melanoma
Melanoma is often the skin cancer that most people recognize. It can develop anywhere on the body, on normal skin or existing moles, and it often appears on the face, trunk, or lower legs. When melanoma appears, its symptoms can include:
- Large, brownish spots with dark speckles.
- A mole that changes in color, size, or texture.
- A small lesion with irregular borders.
- Lesions that appear red, pink, white, blue, or blue-black.
- Itching, burning, or painful lesions.
- Dark lesions on the palms, soles, fingertips, or toes.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
This type of skin cancer often occurs on the sun-exposed areas of the body. It can show symptoms like:
- A pearly, waxy bump.
- A flat, flesh-colored or brown lesion.
- A bleeding or scabbed sore that heals and keeps returning.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This type of skin cancer also appears on sun-exposed areas of the body, particularly the face, ears, and hands. It’s also common in those who have darker skin. Its symptoms can appear as:
- Firm, red nodules.
- Flat lesions with scaly or crusty surfaces.
Less Common Skin Cancers
Less common kinds of skin cancer can also appear, and they may present different symptoms. Their symptoms can include:
- Red or purple patches on the skin.
- Firm, shiny nodules just underneath the skin and in your hair follicles.
- Hard, painless nodules on the eyelids.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get your skin checked out. You should also keep an eye on your skin so you can note any changes. You may want to see a doctor if your skin is changing in new ways. That way, you can get answers and an official diagnosis.
Skin Cancer is Treated in Many Different Ways
When skin cancer is able to be detected and diagnosed early, the prognosis is often positive. Skin cancer is a treatable type of cancer – and while every case is different, early detection often brings good results.
If you do develop skin cancer, your doctor will have you undergo testing to determine what specific type you have. They will also perform testing to assess what stage the cancer is at, how much it has progressed, and if it is affecting any other areas of the body.
Once that process is complete, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan. This can include one single treatment or multiple treatments used in combination. The common treatments for skin cancer include:
- Freezing, which freezers early skin cancers with liquid nitrogen.
- Excisional surgery, which is surgery that cuts out cancerous tissue and some surrounding healthy skin.
- Mohs surgery, which is the removal of larger, recurring, or difficult to treat skin cancers.
- Curettage and electrodesiccation, which removes layers of cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy, which uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Photodynamic therapy, which uses laser light and medication to destroy cancer cells.
- Biological therapy, which uses the body’s immune system to kill off cancer cells.
Skin Cancer Can Be Prevented
Most types of skin cancer are preventable. And that means you can actively take steps to protect yourself from developing this cancer.
To reduce your risk of skin cancer, you can take actions like:
- Avoiding the sun when its rays are strongest, such as the middle of the day.
- Wearing sunscreen year-round.
- Wearing protective clothing.
- Wearing sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
- Checking your skin regularly for changes.
While no one step will completely eliminate the risk of skin cancer, it can make you a less likely candidate. And if you’re worried about skin cancer, make sure to talk with your doctor. Your doctor can help you assess your risk, recommend steps to take, and help you keep a close eye on your skin so you can detect any changes as quickly as possible.