Causes of Skin Cancer
The most common cause of skin cancer is excessive, unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays, typically from the sun. The ultraviolet rays damage skin cells, causing the growth of abnormal or cancerous skin cells. Other causes of skin cancer include exposure to toxic chemicals and other toxic substances.
Types of Skin Cancer
There are several types of skin cancer, including:
- Squamous cell carcinoma, occurring in the more superficial layers of the skin, where squamous cells are located
- Basal cell carcinoma, occurring in deeper layers of skin, where basal cells are located
- Melanoma, occurring in melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for skin color
Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer
There are several signs and symptoms of skin cancer to look out for, including:
- Moles that are changing in size, shape, or color
- Asymmetrical or irregularly shaped moles
- Moles with poorly defined, ragged borders
- Moles that itch, bleed, or ooze
- Open sores that fail to heal
- Red, dry, scaly patches of skin
Risk Factors for Skin Cancer
- Your risk of developing skin cancer increases if you:
- Have fair skin and freckles
- Sunburn easily and severely
- Spend a lot of time out in the sun
- Have a previous history of skin cancer
- Have a family history of skin cancer
When to Visit a Dermatologist
Annual visits to your dermatologist are important, and you may want to visit more often if you are at higher risk of developing skin cancer. A dermatologist can screen for skin cancer, which can help identify it in its early stages, when it is more easily treated.
How Skin Cancer is Treated
Skin cancer may be treated with excision, chemotherapy injections or chemotherapy cream, radiation, the use of electric current to kill cancerous cells, or Mohs micrographic surgery. Mohs surgery involves removing the skin cancer in the office and examining it under a microscope. If remaining cancerous cells are found on the edges, another thin layer of tissue is removed. The process continues until the edges are free of cancerous cells.
Prevention of Skin Cancer
Remember to protect your skin when you are out in the sun. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, or 50 if you are at high risk of skin cancer or sunburn easily. Wear sun protective clothing (UPF clothing), a hat, and sunglasses, and try to avoid being out in the sun between 10 AM and 2 PM, when ultraviolet rays are the most intense.
Want to Know More About Skin Cancer?
To discover more about the signs, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of skin cancer, call our providers Dr. Grace Chung, Dr. Kenneth Herman, Dr. Christina Patrone, Anna Ng or Shelly Schneider at Premier Dermatology in Haddon Heights, NJ. Call (856) 853-0900 to schedule an appointment today.