Skin cancer encompasses a link of neoplastic diseases that have different treatment, diagnosis and prognosis depending on the case of the patient. Learn how you can identify them in time.
One of the main causes of skin cancer development is due to ultraviolet rays from sunlight, which cause mutations in a person’s DNA and these accumulate over years. For this reason, it is necessary to know the types of skin cancer and how to detect them in time before it becomes a permanent problem for human health.
Table of Contents
Types of skin cancer and their detection.
- Basal cell carcinoma.
- Squamous cell carcinoma.
- Melanoma cancer.
Anyone can get this skin cancer problem, regardless of their skin color. It is believed that approximately one in five Americans may develop skin cancer. When detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable and it is best to have it evaluated with a specialist.
Basal cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that appears in a flat, squamous area of the dermis (the most superficial layer of the skin). It is characterized by having a reddish color, it accumulates in small translucent areas and can bleed with minimal contact. In the United States, 90% of people with skin cancer have basal cell carcinoma, which, in short, is the product of the intense rays of sunlight.
Fortunately, this is the least serious skin cancer due to its slow growth, it usually appears on the neck, face and hands. In rare cases it spreads to other areas of the body. The main causes for developing this type of cancer are chronic exposure to the sun, exposure to radicals, open lesions that do not heal, relationship with arsenic, vaccines, scars, infections or burns.
How to detect it?
Basal cell carcinoma can present as irritated reddish spots on areas such as shoulders, arms, legs, chest and face. Sometimes they can form a scab that does not usually cause discomfort. Another sign that the patient may present is a shiny lump or a translucent white, pink or red cyst, and finally, a scar that may change color.
How to prevent it?
When this type of skin cancer is found and the appropriate treatment is used, the overall prognosis is promising. In addition to a treatment designated by the doctor, it is recommended to avoid exaggerated exposure to UV rays , apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before leaving home and visit specialists at least once a year to examine the skin.
Squamous cell carcinoma.
A type of skin cancer that can occur intact or can develop on skin that has had some type of injury or has been inflamed for a long time. This cancer is more dangerous than the previous one and has the facility to spread until it touches vital organs.
How to detect it?
Squamous cell carcinoma develops on the face, neck, ears, hands, and arms; it can also spread to other areas of the body. The main symptom is a growing bump that can lead to a rough, scaly surface with flat red patches. When you notice a change in a mole, wart or external bump, it can be a clear sign of skin cancer.
How to prevent it?
Treatment for squamous cell carcinoma cancer depends on the size, its location, and how far it has developed. The most advisable to combat this disease is excision, this means that the existing cancer in the body must be cut using stitches to be able to put the skin back together. You can also opt for special skin creams that have imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil, both are essential to avoid damaging the basal cells, but this must be treated by specialists.
Melanoma cancer.
It is considered the most dangerous and harmful cancer, when it is not treated in time it can be fatal. Melanoma cancer can develop in any area of the body, but it often occurs in the legs, arms, and trunk. The disease begins when a group of cells from the old tumor is transferred to another place and an organ is interrupted where it develops and produces a tumor similar to the existing one.
How to detect it?
This type of skin cancer can appear in people of any age; however, research adds that it is increasingly diagnosed in young people. Those who suffer from this disease the first thing they see is a new mole or that an old freckle changes its size, color and shape. A large number of people have moles on their bodies and almost all of them appear to be harmless, but it is necessary to identify changes that give warning to melanoma.
How to prevent it?
To combat the risk of non-melanoma (permanent) skin cancer, the first recommendation would be to avoid contact with the sun’s rays. Before going somewhere, it is necessary to apply a sunscreen at least half an hour before so that it penetrates deeply into the skin. To protect the arms and face you can opt for long shirts and a wide-brimmed hat, tight knit materials provide better protection.
When the cancer is very advanced, specialists recommend surgery. This treatment consists of eliminating the tumor near an area of healthy tissue that exists around it, in this way it prevents the disease from originating in case it has eluded other nearby areas. Chemotherapy is another solution for melanoma cancer, in this case it can be combined with home remedies to take care of the skin and increase the effectiveness of the treatment.