Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and affects millions of people every year. It is estimated that one person dies from melanoma type skin cancer every hour. Skin cancer can affect men and women of any age or race.
Early identification and treatment of skin cancer increases the chance of full recovery.
There are three main types of skin cancer:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma:
This is the most common type of skin cancer and represents about 80 percent of newly diagnosed skin cancers. Risk factors include history of sun exposure and fair skin type. Although it has a high cure rate, having a basal cell carcinoma can be a risk factor for developing another skin cancer within five years.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: About ten percent of all skin cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. This type of skin cancer is often preceded by lesions called actinic keratoses or pre-cancers. Squamous cell skin cancer also carries a high recovery rate if identified and treated early.
- Malignant Melanoma: This type of skin cancer is very dangerous because it can spread quickly to other parts of the body where it becomes hard to treat. It is the leading cause of death from skin cancer and it is estimated that over 10,000 people die from it every year. Melanoma comes from skin cells called melanocytes. These cells create the pigment that gives skin its color. Melanoma can look like a mole or brown spot, but it can also appear as a pink, white or skin colored bump.
Recognizing the early warning signs of melanoma can aid in the detection of cancerous change before the cancer has spread.
Melanoma Warning Signs: The ABCDE’s
A: Asymmetry. Melanomas are often irregular, or asymmetrical, in shape. For example, if you cover on half of the mole it will look different that if you cover the other half. Benign moles are usually symmetrical.
B: Borders. Melanoma lesions may have irregular, ill defined borders. Non-cancerous moles have smooth, even borders.
C: Color. The presence of more than one color (brown, blue, black, tan, white) within a mole or the uneven distribution of color can sometimes be a warning sign of melanoma. Benign moles are usually a single color.
D: Diameter. Although melanomas can be very small, any mole that is greater than 6 millimeters in diameter (approximately the size of a pencil eraser) should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
E: Evolving. A changing or evolving mole should be evaluated right away. Evolution is considered to be the most important factor when it comes to diagnosing a melanoma. Knowing your body and what is normal for YOU, and paying attention to changes in your moles can save your life.
Besides the three main types of skin cancer, there are other, more rare types of skin cancer that can behave aggressively and be lethal if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
See your dermatologist yearly for a professional skin cancer exam. Early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer can significantly increase the odds of full recovery.
The dermatologists at Teton Dermatology have advanced training in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. Call Teton Dermatology at 307-734-1800 to schedule an appointment to evaluate your risk factor and screen for skin cancer and pre cancer.
The dermatologists at Teton Dermatology have advanced training in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. Call Teton Dermatology at 307-734-1800 to schedule an appointment to evaluate your risk factor and screen for skin cancer and pre cancer.