Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. Diligent sunscreen routines can prevent it, but there are days when we forget or don’t think we’ll need it, which leads to a higher risk. When detected early, skin cancer is easily treatable through Mohs Surgery at Laser Skin Care Center.
Types of Skin Cancer
There are a couple of types of skin cancer to be aware of. Many skin cancers may not be painful when they develop, so being aware of their appearance can help you know if you are at risk.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting nearly 20% of Americans. They may look like open sores that do not heal, lesions that spontaneously bleed, pink growth with raised edges and a depressed center, or a small pink or shiny red bump.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The second most common type of skin cancer affects over 1 million Americans annually. They may look like rough, scaly patches, open sores with raised borders, resemble a wart, a hard lesion that doubles in size in weeks, have dome-shaped or horn-shaped growth, or grow to other parts of the body.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the rarest skin cancer but causes the most deaths. To catch this type, you must know the ABCs of skin cancer.
- Asymmetry: If a mole is asymmetrical in appearance
- Border: If the outer edges are irregular rather than smooth
- Color: If your beauty spots have different shades or a part that is a darker brown
- Diameter: If it is larger than 6 mm
- Evaluate: Does it look different than the other moles in size, shape, or color, and does it change over time
How to Check for Skin Cancer
It is best to check yourself regularly for skin cancer, especially if you’ve recently been in the sun. Skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body, including genitals, under fingernails, and even inside your mouth.
Skin cancer is not always painful, so it is best to check for the signs listed above rather than rely on pain as an indicator. If you are unsure if one of your moles or other spots is cancerous, check with a dermatologist at Laser Skin Care to receive confirmation.
Even with self-checks, it is best to see a dermatologist every six months to a year to check for cancerous cells. Dermatologists have the expertise and equipment to test for skin cancer. The skin checks only take approximately 15 minutes.
Take the Next Step
If you’d like to learn more about skin cancer treatments, please fill out the form on this page or call (562) 997-1144. Laser Skin Care Center proudly serves the Long Beach, CA area and offers a variety of cosmetic dermatology services.
