Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types. More than 3.5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States each year. It pays to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer, or to detect it early enough so that it can be treated effectively. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most of this exposure comes from the sun and tanning beds.
The best defense against skin cancer is prevention. Regular use of sunscreens and protective clothing have been shown to effectively reduce skin cancer risk. Having a dermatologist perform a full-body skin cancer screening at regular intervals offers the best detection of existing skin cancers.
What Does Skin Cancer Look Like?
Skin cancer can look very different from person to person. This makes it hard to look at a picture and tell if you have skin cancer. Our dermatologists are highly trained to examine skin for signs of pre-malignant and malignant lesions. You should see a dermatologist right away for a skin cancer check if you see a growth on your skin that lasts for two weeks or longer and is:
- growing
- changing shape
- and/or bleeding or itching
Skin cancer has an excellent cure rate if detected early and treated.
What are the Different Types of Skin Cancer?
- Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. More than two million cases are detected in the United States every year.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer.
- Melanoma (malignant moles) can spread to other parts of the body and can be deadly. It is important to know the “ABCDEs” of melanoma.