Rarely Used Ways To Detect Skin Cancer…

ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR!

basal cell carcinoma

Sometimes not as obvious as the picture above, basal cell cancer, sometimes called non-melanoma skin cancer, usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule on the head, neck, or hands. Occasionally, these nodules appear on the trunk of the body, usually as flat growths. Basal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States. It is often easily detected and has an excellent record for successful treatment. It is 95% curable if found early - so make sure you have regular doctor sreanings (even if your doctor doesn’t require them!)… specially in summer!

Although this type of cancer rarely spreads to other parts of the body, it can extend below the skin to the bone and cause considerable local damage. And, non-melanoma skin cancer places people at high risk for developing additional skin cancers.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer found. It is usually found on fair-skinned persons. This form of cancer develops in approximately 200,000 persons per year. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the cure rate for squamous cell carcinoma is 95 percent, when properly treated - and caught early.

Squamous cell carcinoma is typically is found on the rim of the ear, face, lips and mouth, however, it can spread to other parts of the body. Although generally more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma, this cancer is highly treatable.

Melanoma

Melanoma

Melanoma is a disease of the skin in which cancer cells are found in the melanocytes, the cells that produce color in the skin or pigment known as melanin. Melanoma usually occurs in adults, but it may occasionally be found in children and adolescents. Melanoma may also be called cutaneous melanoma or malignant melanoma. Melanoma is the rarest, but most virulent, form of skin cancer.

Melanoma is a more serious type of cancer than the more common basal cell cancer, or squamous cell cancer. Although the incidence of melanoma is lower than other types of skin cancer, it has the highest death rate and is responsible for 75 percent of all deaths from skin cancer.

Melanoma most often appears on fair-skinned men and women, but people with other skin types can be affected. Rarely, melanomas can form in parts of the body not covered by skin such as the eyes, mouth, vagina, large intestine, and other internal organs.

To read the entire article… click: Skin Cancer.

The Second Rarely Used Way To Detect Skin Cancer:

INSIST THAT YOUR DOCTOR DO A SKIN CANCER EXAM OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS!

My Take: It’s summer, and many people don’t take skin cancer seriously enough… Sure, we MIGHT put on some tanning lotion (make sure it’s SPF 15 or greater)… The reason I wrote this artice is because people “think” they know about skin cancer, but they rarely know EXACTLY what to look for. Well, I want you (AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS) to know - so, please, get your family around the computer and have them look at this article and the video below. It’ll only take a few minutes, and could help save a life..

Now here is the most controversial suggestion… but it’s important to note here:  Make sure your partner and you examine each other for skin cancer… if you know what I mean.) - Don’t laugh, the key to skin cancer is to find it early, and if you only go to a doctors apt. every 6 months, you might miss something. So, start examinin… you might find it fun!

Here is a video that may help you and your family know what to look for…