What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer occurs when damaged cells in the skin start to grow abnormally. Different types of skin cancer start from different types of cells. Caught early, skin cancers can often be removed completely.
While people with lighter skin have a higher risk of skin cancer, people with any skin type and tone can also develop it. Monitoring changes in your skin helps spot anything unusual.
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Types Of Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma
The most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) can form anywhere on the body, but most often in areas that receive the most sun exposure. If untreated, it can become destructive to the structures around it.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Another common skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) also forms in areas exposed to the sun or other UV light. This type of cancer, if not treated, can keep growing deeper into the skin.
Melanoma
This type of skin cancer often develops from moles or appears as new dark spots. Melanoma can be deadly because it spreads to other parts of the
How Is Skin Cancer Treated?
For an excision procedure, the doctor will remove an elliptical area of skin and tissue around the lesion. The area removed will be larger than the original lesion because your doctor needs to make sure all cancer cells are gone. The area is closed with stitches, and the removed tissue is sent to a lab to confirm the diagnosis.
Mohs surgery preserves as much normal tissue as possible. Doctors remove one layer of skin at a time, then examine it under a microscope for cancer cells. Layers continue to be removed and studied until no more cancer cells are found. This treatment may leave a less obvious scar and has an excellent cure rate.
Can Skin Cancer Be Prevented?
The best way to decrease your risk of skin cancer is to avoid excessive sun exposure and wear sunscreen every day. Sunscreen often needs reapplied several times per day, so make sure to follow instructions. Tanning beds harm your skin in many ways and also increase cancer risk.
People with lighter skin need to be most vigilant with these precautions, but people of all skin tones should protect their skin from cancer-causing UV exposure.
Learn more about skin cancer and the treatments we offer in one of our convenient locations by calling (901) 624-3333 today.