3 Types of Skin Cancer to Know About

Sun Protection is a fact of life™

3 types of skin cancer you need to know about are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. The first two mentioned are more common than the melanoma; however, the melanoma is the most severe of the three. Over a million individuals get skin cancer each year. Skin cancer is the most occurring of the cancers in humans.

We need to look at these 3 types of skin cancer to know how to recognize them. This will help us know with our own bodies if there is something to be concerned about. Just know that the use "sun protection" or "UV protection" in the forms of creams or clothing can keep the skin cancer from occurring.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the type of skin cancer that occurs most often. It looks similar to the epidermis' basal cells of the top layer of skin. This usually shows up as sores that don't seem to heal. If you have a sore that bleeds then scabs over only to recur this could be the basal cell carcinoma.

Most of these break out on the neck and face due to so much exposure to the sun. However these do also appear on the leg, scalp and abdomen so sun exposure does not have to occur. The basal cell carcinomas do not spread to other location and tend to be more localized.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Now the second one of these 3 types of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. This starts off in the squamous cells which are flat, thin and have the appearance of scales on a fish, when examined with a microscope. These cells are found in tissue that is part of the skin's surface layer, the digestive tract passages along with those of the respiratory tract, and the lining in certain organs throughout the body.

This means that squamous cell carcinomas can occur in any of these places. This type of cancer though happen about 25% less that the basal cell carcinoma does. In all types of skin cancer the amount of sun exposure comes into play. So when trying to diagnose either one of these it will be considered as a cause. The use of sun protection is always recommended.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious of the skin cancers. This occurs within the melanocytes, which are the skin's pigment cells. This cancer does spread and metastasize to other parts of a person's body. It also can cause severe illness that can even lead to the person dying.

The melanomas are normally found by the people themselves, because they occur where they are easily seen. With this above all other skin cancers needs early detection. When diagnosed and treated early enough these can simply be cured through minor surgery.

For Prevention

So use some kind of UV protection to help prevent these 3 types of skin cancer from occurring. Your skin has to protect you so help it do its job. Take care of your skin. We have learned a lot about how much sun exposure the skin can handle. The days are gone where you should bake in the sun like we did as kids. Today it is all about sun protection to prevent damage to the skin.

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Simply click here to go to Skin Cancer Encounters and Survival Stories






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