Skin cancer is the most common of all known cancers, occurring when cells abnormally change, grow and multiply rapidly. The three main types of skin cancer are:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma. This is malignant but may not spread to other parts of the body. It is not fatal, but it is damaging if not treated early.
Basal Cell Carcinomas are abnormal growths or wounds that appear in the outer layer of the skin. They usually look like open sores, scars, or red patches that don’t usually spread out, except in very rare cases, where they can spread to other parts of the body and become fatal.
- Squamous Cells Carcinoma. This is harmful, but very rarely spreads to other parts of the body. It is not life-threatening, but it should be treated as soon as detected.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas are a rapid growth of abnormal cells in the outside layer of the skin. A skin lesion like Actinic Keratosis which is not cancer can be a precursor to Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This type of skin cancer often resembles open sores, scaly red patches, and warts, with occasional bleeding. They can be repulsive and in very few occasions lethal, if not remedied at once.
- Melanoma. This is a highly destructive cancer that may spread to other parts of the body and may be fatal if left untreated.
Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and yet it is so obscure like moles, and often starts as moles. They usually appear as black or brown, but they can also have the same color as the skin. Melanoma is caused mainly by extreme exposure to the rays of the sun. It is not very common, but it is the most deadly out of the three types of skin cancers.
The back of the neck, ears, face, and the scalp are the parts that are most commonly vulnerable to skin cancer. These are the body parts that are usually exposed to the sun.
Protect yourself from these skin cancers by using sun blocks, hats or umbrellas to ward off the harmful rays of the sun.
According to recent studies, the number of skin cancer cases in the U.S. is rising at a fast rate. However, advancement in medicine has developed very effective means of treating skin cancer.
Don’t ignore your skin problems. Have your dermatologist examine any questionable skin spots that concern you before it’s too late.