Cancer Facts and Figures – Cancer Statistics 2010

There is a rule, called the ABCDE rule that is used to find skin cancer spots. The rule is described below:

1. A – asymmetry – Moles or freckles without any cancerous elements will be symmetrical on both sides. Skin cancer spots don’t look the same on both sides.

2. B – border – moles or spots with blurry jagged edges may have skin cancer cells.

3. C – color – Moles having more than one color should be shown to a doctor. Normal moles are usually only one color.

4. D – diameter – If the size of the mole is more than 6mm it should be shown to a doctor. Even if none of the other abnormalities are present.

5. E – elevation – It means that the mole is raised above the skins surface and has an uneven surface itself.

Facial skin cancer more often than not is not diagnosed early as it looks like normal moles. This can have damaging effects that leave lasting scars. It develops due to increased sun exposure. The UV rays harvest radiation in 3 wavelengths, UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA and UVB do the most damage. The radiation activates malignant genes, oncogenes, that start the cancer. Facial skin cancer can be caused from overexposure to chemicals and radiation and can also be hereditary. There are 3 categories, basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. These can be diagnosed either by looking for strange pimple like growths or inflamed, tender growths and may also perform biopsies.

There are two types of carcinoma skin cancer. They are explained in below:

1. Basal cell carcinoma – Usually look like a bleeding or scabbing sore that seems to get better with time then re occurs and starts to bleed. They are found on the neck and face which are exposed to sunlight although it is also found on the abdomen, leg and scalp. They do not metastasize and tend to stick to the place where they originated. They can be cured with the help of methods called curettage and electrodesiccation. Larger cells are removed by surgery. MOHS surgery is the best way to treat most of these types of skin cancer and also ones that recur.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma – When the squamous cells are the site for origination of the cancer cells it is called Squamous cell carcinoma. Under a microscope, they look like fish scales. They are found in tissue forming skin surface, lining of hollow organs and respiratory passages and digestive tracts. The disease may arise in any of these tissues.

Skin cancer effects on the body depend on a variety of factors.

Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form, appears like a mark on the skin that is brown or red in color. It may be protruding or flat. It usually doesn’t spread and is considered benign. It appears anywhere, mostly on areas exposed to sunlight.

Squamous cell carcinoma, another form, is found on body parts exposed to sunlight. It doesn’t always spread to other parts but is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma. It usually spreads, if at all, to surrounding cells. Thus, it will appear like a red or brown mark that grows in size.

Melanoma is the third type. It is most serious and most rare form of skin cancer. It can appear anywhere, even in areas not exposed to the sun like the feet. It appears like a brown spot that grows or a lump which is under the skin.

This is an unusual type of squamous skin cancer (SCC) found mostly in men who are balding. The reason is because of the direct exposure of their bald scalp to the harmful radiation of the sun. But, it can also occur in people with a full scalp of hair too. It is said to be the most dangerous type of SCC. If diagnosed early it is fully treatable. The symptoms of skin cancer on the scalp are:

1. Irritation

2. Red nodules or fat lesions form on the scalp

3. Bleeding of lesions

In diagnosis, the lesions are observed for routine biopsy but the right treatment is the surgical removal of the cancer. There are many ways prevent this form of cancer like applying appropriate sunscreen lotions, wearing hats and avoiding the mid day sun as much as possible.