If you are prone to sun burn and work in the sun a lot then it makes sense to get you skin checked out at least once a year by a professional. Skin cancer screening is a process where your skin is examined for any blemishes, marks or bumps that may be cancerous. It can identify potential problems early on and thus increase the chances of treating the disease effectively and without fuss. However, you should also examine your skin from time to time for any changes. In order to do this successfully you need to know a bit about skin cancer. This article will list the three types of skin cancer and their typical signs and treatment.
There are 3 types of skin cancers. The first two are the most commonly diagnosed types of the disease. They are also the most treatable because in most cases the disease does not spread but is localized to a particular part of the body. They are easily treated in most cases however on rare occasions they may spread making early diagnose all the more important.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. It will normally manifest as a waxy bump on the skin. It may also appear as a flesh or brown colored mark. It is typically found on the face, neck, chest and back but can occur anywhere on the body.
It is simple to treat basal cell carcinoma because it is generally benign, meaning that it will not spread to other parts of the body. This means it is safe to remove the bump or mark without it leading to other skin cancers. Removal can be done in a doctor’s surgery. It involves administering a local anesthetic and cutting the carcinoma away.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is similar to basal cell carcinoma and has the same methods for treatment. However it is more liable to spread than the other type and therefore needs to be treated immediately it is diagnosed.
A Squamous cell carcinoma is typically noticeable as a red bump or nodule. It can appear on the face, neck, or arms. On some occasions it will occur on the ears or lips. The nodule will be hard to the touch. As it develops it may become scaly or have flaky skin on the surface. It will continue to develop to become a crusty lesion where the nodule used to be. It is usually treated by cutting or freezing.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious of the three types of skin cancer. If it is left untreated it may spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes. This will increase the chances of it spreading throughout the body including vital organs. This will ultimately prove to be fatal unless treatment is started. Diagnosing melanoma early is the best chance of treating it successfully thus it is important that you get screened by a professional from time to time. Mention any lumps or unusual skin conditions that you may have noticed during self examination and let the professional examine them.
Knowing the signs and characteristics of the three types of skin cancer will help you to diagnose and treat the disease however prevention is a far better solution. Always put sunscreen on exposed parts of the body when in the sun. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Wear clothing like a long sleeve shirt to cover the arms and torso.