The chances of getting skin cancer in the U.S. are high. One in every five Americans is likely to develop skin cancer. The leading cause is the excess growth of skin cells in the body. Individuals directly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light/rays from synthetic sources such as tanning beds or natural sources such as the sun are more prone to getting it.
However, nearly all skin cancers can be cured if detected and treated on time. Thus, it is best to closely check your skin and look for skin color, texture, shape, size, or growth changes.
Get all the skin cancer information you need about its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
What Are the Common Causes?
The primary cause of skin cancer is excess sunlight absorbed into the skin. It causes abnormal skin cell growth that forms a mass of cancer cells. The second cause of skin cancer is constant contact with strong chemicals. The fumes released from these chemicals increase the chances of developing skin cancer.
Skin Cancer Symptoms
Getting accurate skin cancer information is crucial. It will help detect the type of skin cancer and allow you to get the right treatment. The common types of skin cancers and their symptoms are:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
This type of skin cancer is seen in areas of your skin that are bare in the sun. These include the head (bald), face, ears, arms, legs, etc. however, this is not deadly and will not spread to other parts of your body.
Basal Cell Carcinoma skin cancer symptoms include:
- Different types of bumps on the neck, face, and ears.
- Scarring on certain areas of the skin.
- Brown, pink or red lesions on arms and legs.
- Bleeding or crusty sores.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This type of cancer also grows on your skin due to high sun exposure. It can be seen on your mouth, hands, face, ears, or bald spots. Moreover, it can even form in your genitals or mucus membranes.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma skin cancer symptoms include:
- Red or pink bumps.
- Lesions that are rough, itchy, crusty, and sometimes bleed.
Melanoma
It is one of the most severe types of skin cancer that can grow on any part of your body and internal organs. Unlike other cancers, it spreads all over your body.
Melanoma skin cancer symptoms include:
- A mole that changes size, color, or bleeds occasionally.
- A brown-colored bump or spot
Individuals should check their skin for the following signs:
- The irregular shape of moles.
- Different colored moles.
- Moles more prominent than 6mm.
- Significant changes in mole color, size, and shape.
Treatments
Treatment depends on the stage of skin cancer you have. The stages go up to five. A higher stage signifies more cancer spread. If you’re lucky, a single biopsy can help remove all the cancerous cells from your body. However, there are treatments to cure skin cancer:
Cryotherapy
It includes using liquid nitrogen to freeze the cancer cells in your body. It helps to kill the cells which fall once the treatment is done.
Mohs Surgery
This surgery will remove the visible areas first. Then, your surgeon will move on the removing the thin layer of cancer cells. It involves removing one layer at a time.
Excisional Surgery
It is a surgery to help remove the tumor from your body and some surrounding skin to ensure no chance of cancer growing in the body.
Radiation Therapy
It involves the patient getting intense energy beams to kill the cancer cells in their body. It reduces them and stops them from multiplying.
Your skin is the most significant barrier for the rest of your body. Therefore, if you see any of the abovementioned skin cancer symptoms, you should head to a doctor ASAP. They will provide you with complete skin cancer information and treat your case. In case your insurance doesn’t cover dermatological treatment, contact The Rx Helper.
