Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers. More than one million Americans develop skin cancer every year. Routine body inspections performed by your dermatologist promotes early detection.
Some precancerous skin conditions, including actinic keratoses, can be removed by laser surgery, cryotherapy (freezing), chemical peeling, dermabrasion, or other surgical procedures.
Tanning and overexposure to sunlight is the leading factor in skin cancer. Tanning booths emit UVA rays and you may come away from tanning sessions with an increased risk for skin cancer. Pre-cancers and skin cancers arise from UVA and UVB induced DNA changes. These changes in your skin cell's DNA can cause the cells to become pre-malignant (pre-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) in nature. Unlike other skin blemishes that are usually treated for aesthetic reasons, skin cancer needs to be treated immediately to protect your health.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Usually appear as a small fleshy bump or nodule on the head, neck and hands or as red patches on the trunk. They don't spread quickly and can take months or years to reach one-half inch in diameter. Untreated, the lesion will bleed, crust over, heal and repeat the cycle. This type of cancer rarely spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) but it can extend below the skin to the bone and cause damage to the surrounding tissue.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
May appear as a bump or red, scaly patch. This is the second most common skin cancer and is usually found on the ear, face, lips and mouth. It can develop into large masses and unlike basal cell it can metastasize. If found early and treated properly, the cure rate by dermatology surgery for both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma is 95%.
Malignant Melanoma
Is the most deadly of all skin cancers and it is projected that 44,000 Americans will develop this each year. 7,300 Americans will die from melanoma. Due to early detection and patient awareness, this rate is declining. Melanoma starts in melanocytes, (skin cells that produce melanin). Melanin is what makes the skin tan. Melanoma cells usually continue to produce melanin resulting in mixed shades of tan, brown and black or even red and/or white. Melanoma usually spreads quickly and early detection is key. Melanoma may appear suddenly or may begin near a mole or other dark spot in the skin. It is important to know the location, size, and color of moles on your body so any change can be detected. It is essential to have any change examined and/or treated by your dermatologist.
The ABCDE's of Melanoma are a good tool to use in periodic self-examinations.
- Asymmetry - One half doesn't match the other
- Border Irregularity - The edges are ragged, notched or blurred
- Color - The pigmentation is not uniform. Shades of tan, brown and black are present. Dashes of red, white and blue add to the mottled appearance
- Diameter - The width is greater than six millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser). Any growth of a mole should be of concern.
- Evolving - Any change in color or borders need to be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Q. What treatment options are available?
Skin cancers can be surgically removed with precision and expertly sutured to minimize distortion of the skin. Some superficial skin cancers can be treated with laser surgery or even topical medicines.
We now have a Mohs surgeon onsite. Please see our Mohs section for more information on this treatment option.
Pro-Nad is a key ingredient in Niadyne, a skin strengthening cream, and has been chosen by National Cancer Institute for development as a skin cancer prevention agent.
Q. What can I do to prevent skin cancer?
You can protect yourself from the sun by using sunblock, shielding exposed skin from the sun's rays with clothing and hats, and staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunblock needs to be used properly. Not only should you be using a sunblock with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, preferably 30, but you also need to make sure the sunblock is protecting your skin from both ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause your skin to burn, and UVA rays, which cause your skin to age.
