Skin Cancer – Knowing and Understanding the Signs



What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers that affect the human body. So what is skin cancer? Let’s start with understanding what “cancer” means.

 

Cancer occurs when the cells in your body undergo a transformation that is abnormal. These cells grow and multiply very quickly without any control. Transformation (or mutation) of the skin cells occurs as a result of unrepaired DNA damage to the cells.

 

In the case of skin cancer, the transformation or mutation of skin cells is caused by direct exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Such exposure is commonly from direct sunlight or tanning beds. Unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that cause the skin cells to form malignant tumors at a rapid rate. The term “malignant” is used to describe cancers and how the cancerous cells quickly invade, infect, and spread in to adjacent cells and tissues.




Types of Skin Cancer

There are three (3) main types of skin cancers:

  • Basil cell skin cancers
  • Squamous cell skin cancers
  • Melanomas

 

How Do You Know If You Have Skin Cancer?

The first step is to perform skin exams. This can be done through your physician or other health care professionals. You can also perform skin exams yourself. If you find anything suspicious on your skin, you should promptly consult with your doctor or other health care professional.

 

Since skin cancers can appear in various different ways, here are some examples of what to look for:



Basil Cell Skin Cancers:

  • Yellow or pale areas of the skin that are flat and firm.
  • Raised red or pink patches that may be itchy.
  • Small, pink or red, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps. May have blue, brown, or back areas on the bumps.
  • Raised growths or lumps. Some may have a lower area or region in the center of the growth. Abnormal blood vessels may also spread from the growth.

 

Squamous Cell Skin Cancers:

  • Rough or scaly red patches. May crust or bleed.
  • Raised growths or lumps. Some may have a lower area or region in the center of the growth.
  • Open sores that are not healing. May have oozing or crusted areas.
  • Wart-like growths.

Melanoma (and Moles):

Some moles can appear at birth, however, most appear during childhood or during the adolescent years. Once a mole has developed, it will usually stay the same size, shape, and color. New moles that appear later in life should be examined by your doctor or other health care professional. Likewise, moles that change in its size, shape, and color should also be examined. A possible warning sign of melanoma is the arrival of new moles or spots on the skin, or existing spots that are changing in size, shape, or color. One way of identifying possible melanoma is a guide called the ABCDE rule.




“A” is for Asymmetry: the halves of the mole or spot do not match.

“B” is for Border: the edges of the mole or spot are irregular, uneven, ragged, or blurred.

“C” is for Color: the color of the mole or spot is not the same all over. May include shades of brown or black, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue.

“D” is for Diameter: the mole or spot is larger than 6 millimeters in width.

“E” is for Evolving: the size, shape, or color of the mole or spot is changing.



If you have identified any of the above symptoms on your skin, you should immediately consult with your physician or other health care professional.