What is skin cancer? Skin cancer refers to abnormal cell growth in the skin. This is among the more common types of cancer, and it usually develops on areas of the skin that receive sun exposure. However, skin cancer can also affect parts of the skin that don’t get sun exposure. Skin cancer treatments can successfully treat this disease when diagnosed and treated early. The longer skin cancer develops, the harder it is to treat. Untreated skin cancer can potentially spread to other parts of the body.
What types of skin cancer are there? A few types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common types of skin cancer. Squamous cells are found right under the skin’s outer surface, while basal cells are found under squamous cells. Melanocytes are located in the deeper layers of the epidermis. Different factors are thought to contribute to the development of skin cancer, including UV radiation from the sun, exposure to toxic substances, and diseases that affect the immune system.
What are the symptoms of skin cancer? Basal and squamous cell carcinoma symptoms typically include scaly lesions or bleeding lesions. These lesions usually don’t heal. Other possible signs of these skin cancers include bumps that don’t disappear. Signs of melanoma include changes in the color or size of moles, dark lesions on certain parts of the body, and brown spots covered in darker specks. Those with skin cancer signs or symptoms should seek a medical diagnosis so treatment can begin early if needed.
