Skin Cancer

Skin cancer starts in the cells of the skin. Your skin is your largest organ and an important one to protect. Unfortunately, it is susceptible to cancer, just like any other organ. Skin cancer trumps all other forms of cancer. According to one estimate, about 5.4 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed among 3.3 million people each year. (Many people are diagnosed with more than one spot of skin cancer at the same time.)¹  There are 3 main types of skin cancers.

• Basal Cell Skin Cancers (basal cell carcinomas)
• Squamous Cell Skin Cancers (squamous cell carcinomas)
• Melanoma Skin Cancer
• Prevention
• Symptoms
• Risk Factors
• Treatment

Basal Cell Carcinoma

About 80% of skin cancers¹ is basal cell carcinoma. This type of cancer grows slowly and usually develops on the head and neck. These cancers are strongly correlated to a person’s sun exposure. Basal cell cancers are much less likely than melanomas to spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Nearly 20% of skin cancer.¹ Cells in these cancers look like abnormal versions of the squamous cells seen in the outer layers of the skin. Usually appear on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ears, neck, lips and back of hands. Squamous cell cancers grow slowly and are almost always treatable. 

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer but it is only 1% of all cases.¹ Melanomas are cancers that develop from melanocytes, the cells that make the brown pigment that gives skin its color. Melanocytes can also form benign (non-cancerous) growths called moles.

Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body but are more likely to start in certain areas. The trunk (chest and back) is the most commonplace in males. In females, the legs are the most common site. The neck and face are other common places for melanoma to start. It can also occur on skin not exposed to the sun

Melanomas are not as common as basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, but they can be far more serious. Like basal cell and squamous cell cancers, melanoma is almost always curable in its early stages. But if left alone, melanoma is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body, where it can be very difficult to treat.

The 5-year survival rate for Melanoma is:

• 97% when caught early
• 15% when found late and is in an advanced stage

Prevention

• Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen
• Do not burn
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning beds
• Cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month
• Have a professional skin exam every year

Symptoms

• A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, red, tan, brown, black or multicolored
• A mole, birthmark, beauty mark or any brown spot that:
  • changes color
  • increases in size or thickness
  • changes in texture
  • is irregular in outline
  • is bigger than 1/4", the size of a pencil eraser
  • appears after age 21
• A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode or bleed
• An open sore that does not heal within three weeks

Contact your physician immediately if you have any of the symptoms noted above, and be sure to schedule a complete skin check annually.

Find a Dermatologist

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your risk of skin cancer include:

• Fair skin— anyone, regardless of skin color, can get skin cancer
• A history of sunburns
• Excessive sun exposure
• Sunny or high-altitude climates
• Moles
• Precancerous skin lesions
• A family history of skin cancer
• A personal history of skin cancer
• Weakened immune system
• Exposure to radiation

Regular examination of the skin for any new or unusual growths, or changes in the size, shape, or color of an existing spot, is key to finding and treating skin cancers early. If you find anything suspicious, you should discuss it with your primary care physician or a dermatologist.

While many skin cancers develop in areas exposed to the sun, they may also develop in areas that are usually hidden from the sun. It is important to examine all of these areas. In addition to examining the legs, trunk, arms, face, and neck, it is important to look for signs of skin cancer in the areas between the toes, underneath nails, palms of the hands and soles of the feet, genitals and even the eyes.

Common Treatments

Basal Cell and Squamous Cell may require:

• Prescription creams
• Topical medication
• Sometimes minor surgery

Melanoma may require surgery, radiation, medications, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy depending on:

• Stage of the cancer
• Type of cancer
  
• Size of the tumor
  
• Part of the body affected
  
• Patient’s general health

Summa Health makes it easy to see a dermatologist. Learn more about our telederm option or call 330.835.9158 to schedule an appointment. 

Skin Cancer Screening

1 American Cancer Society; https://www.cancer.org/cancer/skin-cancer.html accessed 5.8.20