Skin Cancer

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. Nearly all cases are cured with treatment. BCCs appear in many shapes and sizes but are more commonly seen as: dome- shaped growths with visible blood vessels, shiny pinkish patches, sores that heal and returns (may occasionally bleed), brown/black growths, or white/yellow waxy growths that looks like scars. Most BCCs develop on skin that gets repeated exposure to the sun, especially on scalp, neck, and hands. But BCC can develop anywhere on the body. Any exposure to UV rays (i.e. sun, indoor tanning salons) increases the risk of developing BCC. When detected early, BCC is highly curable.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. When detected early and treated properly, SCC is highly curable. SCC appears on the skin in many shapes which include rough/crusty bumps, rough/red flat patches, dome-shaped bumps that grow and bleed, and/or sores that do not heal or heal and then returns. Most cases of SCC occur on skin that get sun exposure like the face, ears, lip, hands, arms, and legs. Rarely, SCC can occur inside the mouth and on the genitals. Some SCCs begin as a precancerous growth called Actinic Keratosis or AK. Exposure to UV rays, indoor tanning bed usage, having strong family history, and/or exposure to chemical carcinogens may cause SCC. When detected early and treated properly, SCC is highly curable. Left untreated, SCC may spread making treatment quite difficult.

Melanoma

Anyone can get melanoma. When found early and treated, the cure rate is nearly 100%. Melanoma is deadliest form of skin cancer. With early detection, melanoma can be effectively treated. Anyone can develop melanoma but those with light skin, hair, and eyes, a lot of moles, history of blistering sunburns, history of tanning bed usage, and/or strong family history of melanoma have a higher risk of developing melanoma. For people with skin of color, melanoma is typically found on areas of the body that are not typically exposed to the sun. The bottoms of the foot, inside the mouths, and nails are the more typical areas.