Whether it’s growing rapidly or disappearing the red, angry bumps that look like they’re looking red and angry, usually some red flags rise when you notice new or unusual changes in your skin. Is it acne, moles or, worst case scenario, skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, one in five Americans develop it at some point in their lives. Skin cancer comes in a variety of forms. “The three main things we think about are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (and melanoma),” says Dr. Elizabeth Berry, an associate professor in the department of dermatology at Oregon Health and Science University.
It’s amazing to be diagnosed with any type of skin cancer, but most dermatologists will reassure you, so most conditions can be treated if caught early. That’s why it’s important to be able to identify the first signs of skin cancer.
What causes skin cancer?
Ultraviolet exposure is a major cause of skin cancer in the United States. Dr. Alice Zhou, an assistant professor of oncology at Washington University in St. Louis, says that since the skin is the body’s largest organ, it naturally carries the brunt of UV released from the sun.
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People with lighter skin tones are at a much greater risk of skin cancer than people with darker skin tones. However, there is a misconception that people with dark skin cannot experience skin cancer, which is simply not true, Zhou says.
Skin cancer has many other risk factors, including family history of skin cancer, the use of a sunbed bed, chronic inflammation, and weakening of immune function. Washington University School of Medicine. There are also several rare forms of skin cancer, including primarily virus-driven Merkel cell carcinoma and Kaposi sarcoma, Nghiem notes.
It is also important to pay attention to the skin mold.
What does skin cancer look like?
Skin cancers come in all shapes and sizes, but there are some important indications when it comes to identifying basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma:
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common type of skin cancer is BCC, which is AAD and accounts for 80% of all skin cancer diagnoses in the United States. Usually, BCC looks like a translucent bump in skin tone with a slightly glowing skin. It can also be present as a small pink patch that easily bleeds, says Zhou. Most BBCs appear in the area of the body that receives normal solar exposure (including arms, head and neck). It’s not particularly aggressive skin cancer and is usually very treatable, says Berry. squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): SCC, the second most common skin cancer, usually develops as a sturdy red bump with a slight crust. Center. They can sometimes resemble wounds, burns, or pain that has not been properly healed, Berry says. Zhou.melanoma: Melanoma tends to have a scaly texture with bluffs, tattered edges. Melanoma accounts for only 1% of all skin cancers in the United States, but it is one of the most fatal. The fear of melanoma is that you can remove it, but when one cancer cell escapes, it can move somewhere in the body and spread after a few years. Melanoma can easily be confused due to just another benign mole, but as size and shape evolve, it can take on an ugly shape. In rare cases, they do not appear like black or brown stripes inside the nail. At home, early signs of melanoma can be identified through the “ABCDE” rule, says Nghiem. According to AAD, if your body spot shows the following signs, look at your dermatologist: Asymmetry: One side of the spot looks different from the other. edges.color: Spots contain various shades of black, brown, tan, white, red, or blue. Diameter: Spot width is over 6cm (almost sized pencil eraser), melanoma may be diagnosed with smaller sizes, but evolution: new or existing spot size, shape , or there is a rapid change in color. As melanoma grows, itching, bleeding, or pain can develop.
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Can skin cancer appear in areas that are not exposed to the sun?
Skin cancer can absolutely appear in areas of the skin where sun exposure tends to be less common.
In particular, acral melanoma is a subset of melanomas that grow in the palms and soles of the shoe. People with dark skin color are particularly at risk for this type of skin cancer, Berry says. Zhou adds that melanoma can also develop in mucosal areas such as the mouth, eyes and genital skin.
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Tips for preventing skin cancer
Preventing skin cancer starts with sunscreen. Whether in summer or winter, make it part of your daily routine. You should wear sunscreen on any part of your body that could potentially be exposed to the sun. During the winter, you should apply sunscreen every day, says Nghiem.
Choose a wide spectral sunscreen (ideally mineral-based) of at least 30 SPF and reapply every 2 hours. However, Zhou says you should not rely solely on sunscreen to protect yourself. She adds, she tries to stick to the shade during the midday sun (or whenever UV rays are high).
Conclusion: Skin cancer can be treated if caught early, and it is always best to take initiatives to prevent the formation of a full stop. And of course, always be careful to check if the spots and moles have changed color. If you notice any new or unusual changes in your skin, you’ll definitely be guaranteed to have a test with a dermatologist, Berry says.