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Dermatologists Describe How Cancer on Your Skin Looks Like: Signs You Should Never Ignore

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Skin cancer, or the abnormal proliferation of skin cells, is most commonly found on sun-exposed skin. However, this frequent type of cancer can also develop on parts of your skin that aren’t normally exposed to the sun.

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are the three most common kinds of skin cancer.

Understanding the appearance of skin cancer is critical for maintaining good health:

Here are some warning signs and symptoms to look out for.

The first and most prevalent symptom of skin cancer is a change in your skin, according to the CDC. If you have a sore that doesn’t get better after a few days, you might have skin cancer. You should see a doctor right away.

What are the signs of basal cell carcinoma?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), basal cell carcinoma is the most frequent type of cancer in the world, with an estimated 2 million Americans diagnosed each year.

How basal cell carcinoma looks like?

The Mayo Clinic says that “basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face. Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a pearly or waxy bump, a flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion, a bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns.” 

What are the signs of squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cells can be found all throughout the human body and sit at the skin’s surface, protecting the tissue beneath. Squamous cell carcinoma can affect anyone, although it is more likely in those who have had an organ transplant, have used (or continue to use) tanning beds, or have fair skin that has been sun damaged.

How squamous cell carcinoma looks like?

“SCCs can appear as thick, rough, scaly patches that may crust or bleed,” says The Skin Cancer Foundation, adding “they can also resemble warts, or open sores that don’t completely heal. Sometimes SCCs show up as growths that are raised at the edges with a lower area in the center that may bleed or itch,” according to Skin Care Foundation.

What are the signs and how Melanoma looks like on skin?

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer as it can spread quickly.

The AAD’s “ABCDEs” for detecting melanoma symptoms are as follows:

  • A means Asymmetry: One half side of the spot is different from the other.
  • B means Border: having an irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.
  • C means Color: it has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.
  • D means Diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters, or about the size of a pencil eraser, when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
  • E means Evolving: The spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.

What you can do to protect yourself from Skin Cancer?

Wear sunscreen every day, dress in sun-protective clothing, follow an anti-inflammatory diet, minimize indoor tanning, and keep a close check on your skin—and if you have any doubts, see a dermatologist for a thorough examination.

As almost half of melanomas are self-detected, “the self-skin exams actually become even more important for those at higher risk of skin cancer such as people with a personal or family history of skin cancer,” says Klint Peebles.

“Sometimes I will recommend, at the very least, making it a habit on your birthday of doing a full self-exam. If it’s your birthday, get yourself in your birthday suit and get familiar with what’s on your skin. Also, keep in mind that skin cancer can happen anywhere where there’s skin—not just sun exposed areas.”

Image Credit: Getty

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