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Skin Cancer Education Guide

This document provides information about different types of skin cancer including symptoms, risk factors, and prevention methods. It covers actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Early detection of skin cancers through self-exams and regular dermatologist checks is emphasized as skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
28 views2 pages

Skin Cancer Education Guide

This document provides information about different types of skin cancer including symptoms, risk factors, and prevention methods. It covers actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Early detection of skin cancers through self-exams and regular dermatologist checks is emphasized as skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early.

Uploaded by

N Priya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SKIN CANCER SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of skin color. It is Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most
estimated 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in common skin cancer. This skin cancer tends to develop
their lifetime. When caught early, skin cancer is highly on skin that has been exposed to the sun for years, such
treatable. as the head, neck, ears, and back of the hands. It is
possible to get SCC on any part of the body, including the
inside of the mouth, lips, and genitals. Women
ACTINIC KERATOSIS
frequently get SCC on their lower legs.
Actinic Keratosis (AK) is a scaly, rough, dry spot(s) that
SCC most commonly appear as a firm bump, scaly patch,
forms when the skin is badly damaged by UV rays from
or an ulcer (open sore) that does not heal. People who
the sun or indoor tanning. AKs most commonly develop Who gets melanoma?
use tanning beds have a much higher risk of getting SCC,
on the face, ears, head, forearms, and neck. AKs are Anyone can get melanoma. Most people who get
and tend to get SCC earlier in life. SCC can spread to
considered precancerous and if left untreated, they may melanoma have light skin, but people darker skin tones
other parts of the body. SCC can grow deep and result in
turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell also get melanoma. Other risk factors include:
damage, disfigurement, and spread to other areas of the
carcinoma. • Use tanning beds.
body. However, with early diagnosis and treatment, SCC
• Had 5 or more blistering sunburns between 15-20 y.o.
is highly curable.
• Failed to protect your skin from the sun.
• Fair skin, red or blond hair, and/or blue or green eyes
• Sun-sensitive skin
• 50 or more moles
• An atypical mole (mole that looks like melanoma)
• Had melanoma or another type of skin cancer
• Have a history of melanoma in your family
About 120,000 Americans will develop melanoma this
year. A change is often the first sign of melanoma, so it is
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA important to know where your moles are on your or your
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of loved one’s body. When detected early, melanomas have
skin cancer. Most frequently it appears as a shiny, pearly a high cure rate. Dermatologists encourage people of all
bump or a scaly pink patch of skin. BCC usually develops MELANOMA skin colors to perform skin self-exams.
on areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the This type of skin cancer typically develops as a sudden
head, neck, arm, and hands. BCC can also appear on the dark mark on the skin or in a mole that has recently How to conduct a skin self-examination
trunk and legs. People who use tanning beds also get changed. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin 1. Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then
BCC, and they also tend to get it earlier in life. This type cancer. Every year about 8,500 American (that is 1 per look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.
of skin cancer grows slowly. It rarely spreads to other hour) die from melanoma. Making melanoma the most 2. Bend your elbows and look carefully at forearms, back
parts of the body. Treatment is important because BCC serious and deadly type of skin cancer. Allowed to grow, of upper underarms, and palms.
can grow wide and deep, destroying skin, tissue, and melanoma can spread quickly to other parts of the body. 3. Look at the backs of your legs and feet, between your
bone. There is good news, when found early melanoma is highly toes, and the soles of your feet.
treatable. 4. Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand
mirror or have your partner examine those areas.
Melanoma can show up on your body in different ways: 5. Check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.
• Change in an existing mole
• New dark spot or patch on your skin
• A spot that looks like a changing freckle or age spot
• Dark streak under or around a fingernail or toenail
• Slowly growing patch of thick skin that looks like a scar
What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma SKIN CHECKS BY A DERMATOLOGIST
People whom have spent lots of time in the sun, have
When examining your skin for melanoma, you many moles or atypical moles, have a family history of
want to look for the warning signs, which are skin cancer, or other risk factors for skin cancer should
called the ABCDEs of melanoma. see a dermatologist regularly for a skin check. Some
people should have this exam yearly, while others will

A = Asymmetry
need more frequent exams. YA dermatologist will
recommend the frequency that is best for each patient. Skin Cancer
One half is unlike the other half. If during the skin exam a dermatologist sees a potential
skin cancer, they will remove (biopsy) part of the growth
in order for it to be examined under the microscope y a
Education Guide
pathologist. A dermatologist can safely perform this
B = Border procedure during your office visit.
An irregular, scalloped, or
poorly defined border. If the skin biopsy report confirms the suspicious lesion is
a skin cancer, then more treatment may be needed.
Treatment includes an array of medical and surgical
C = Color options and varies according to the type, location, and
Is varied from one area to size of the skin cancer and the individual needs of the
another; has shades of tan, patient.
brown, black, white, red, or PREVENT Skin Cancer: Protect Yourself From the Sun
blue. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all
skin cancers, including melanoma. You can have fun in
D = Diameter the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here’s how
Melanomas are usually greater to protect yourself from the sun:
than 6mm (the size of a pencil • Seek shade between 10 am - 2 pm
eraser) when diagnosed, but • Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved
they can be smaller. shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, & sunglasses.
• Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
with an SPF 30 or higher to all exposed skin. Reapply
every 2 hours, even on cloudy days, after swimming,
or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, & sand, as they
reflect the damaging rays of the sun.
E = Evolving • Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet and/or
A mole or skin lesion that looks vitamin supplements.
different from the rest or is • Avoid tanning beds. UV light from sun & tanning beds
changing in size, shape or color. can cause skin cancer & premature skin aging. If you
want a tan, consider using a sunless self-tanning
product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
If you notice a spot that is different from • Protect children and encourage safe sun playtime
others, or that changes, itches or bleeds, you
should make an appointment to see your board The Pearl Dermatology, PLLC
certified dermatologist. 550 Post Oak Blvd, Ste 550
Houston, TX 77027
713-497-1417
www.thepearldermatology.com

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