One in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer combined. However, most skin cancer can be cured if detected early.
What Causes Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is most often caused by exposure to the sun. UV rays can cause mutations in the DNA of skin cells, which leads to skin cancer. However, skin cancer can also develop in skin cells that are not often exposed to UV radiation. This means other factors may also be a cause of skin cancer.
While these factors are not yet known, there are known risk factors that increase your chances of developing skin cancer. These risk factors include:
- A history of sunburns
- Fair skin
- Living in sunny or high-altitude climates
- Excessive sun exposure
- Precancerous skin growths
- Moles
- A family or personal history of skin cancer
- A weakened immune system
Types of Skin Cancer
There are many types of skin cancer, but the most common are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer with an estimated 3.6 million cases in the U.S. every year. Although the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma often grows slowly. This means it is usually curable and causes little damage when detected early.
The second most common type of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. It is sometimes referred to as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to differentiate it from the squamous cell carcinoma that can occur inside the body. Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma are curable if detected early.
Melanoma is less common than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but it is a serious type of skin cancer. If not detected and treated early, melanoma can rapidly spread to other organs. 70-80%of melanoma cases develop on normal looking skin.
Early Signs of Skin Cancer
Knowing how to detect the early signs of skin cancer can literally save your life. Ninety-nine percent of patients have a 5-year survival rate if their skin cancer is detected early. So what are the early signs of skin cancer? Let’s find out from the ABCDEs below.
- Asymmetry: Common moles are symmetrical, meaning both halves look the same. If a mole or growth is asymmetrical, it could be a sign of skin cancer.
- Border: Moles typically have smooth edges, so be on the lookout for scalloped or notched edges.
- Color: Benign skin growths are typically one color. Growths that are multiple colors (including brown, black, blue, red, or white) may signal a cancerous growth.
- Diameter: If a skin growth is the size of a pencil eraser or larger, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to have it looked at.
- Evolving: If a current skin growth changes in color, size, or shape or you experience new symptoms, such as itching or bleeding, it may be a warning sign of skin cancer.
Early detection of skin cancer can be done at home or with the help of a dermatologist. Whether done at home or in-office, keeping track of your skin growths through an annual skin cancer screening can help make early detection easier.
Does Skin Cancer Itch?
While not always a symptom that a skin growth is cancerous, itching can be a symptom of skin cancer. Continue reading on to learn about more skin cancer symptoms and contact your dermatologist to discuss your concerns.
Skin Cancer Symptoms
Just like there are different types of skin cancer, the symptoms of skin cancer can differ based on the type of skin cancer, where it’s located, and your skin tone. Basal cell carcinoma often appears on areas of the body exposed to the sun, but it can appear in a number of ways such as open sores, pink growths, slightly elevated scars or growths, an indented center, red patches, shiny bumps, or rolled edges. Basal cell carcinoma may itch, bleed, crust, or ooze. Approximately half of basal cell carcinomas on people with darker skin tones are brown in color.
Similar to basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma most commonly affects skin that has been exposed to the sun. However, squamous cell carcinoma can also affect areas of the body not typically exposed to the sun. Squamous cell carcinoma can appear as: roughened or thickened skin, raised growth with an indented center, wart-like, open sores, or red patches. Crusting, itching, or bleeding may occur.
Melanoma is the trickiest skin cancer to identify as it can appear in many shapes, sizes, and colors. However, melanoma often appears on women’s legs and men’s trunks, but it can develop anywhere on the body. The best way to identify melanoma is to use the ABCDEs discussed earlier.
How is Skin Cancer Diagnosed?
To diagnose skin cancer, your dermatologist will examine your skin. If further testing is required, your dermatologist will remove the suspicious looking area and biopsy it. Other tests may also be conducted to determine the stage of skin cancer present.
Skin Cancer Treatment
Your treatment options will be determined based on the type of skin cancer you have, where it’s located, and what stage it is. Most treatment options include cryosurgery, excisional surgery, curettage and electrodessication, and Mohs surgery. Cryosurgery is used for smaller skin cancer growths. Excisional surgery is often used if the skin cancer growth is small and has not spread. Curettage and electrodessication is also effective for lesions.
At Vujevich Dermatology Associates, our surgeons treat skin cancer at our Mohs Surgery Center. Mohs surgery is most often used for basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. These cases are often aggressive or large, in an area with little tissue beneath, or were previously treated and have returned.
How Can I Prevent Skin Cancer?
You can probably guess our main answer is going to be applying and reapplying SPF 30 sunscreen when outdoors year-round. This is just one of many ways to protect against skin cancer. We also recommend avoiding the sun during the middle of the day, wearing protective clothing, avoiding tanning beds, and being aware if any of your medications make you more sensitive to the sun. Plus, it’s always important to conduct at-home self skin checks.
Vujevich Dermatology Associates has expertly trained, board-certified dermatologists to perform skin cancer screenings and skin cancer removal. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and a skin cancer screening or learn more about treatment options.