Of all the dermatologic concerns facing Vanguard patients, one of the most common—and certainly the most worrisome—is skin cancer. Skin cancer is so common, in fact, that it accounts for more cancer diagnoses in the United States each year than all other forms of cancer combined.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in his or her lifetime. As most skin cancer cases are caused by unprotected and prolonged sun exposure and Colorado residents are a mile or closer to the sun than most other US residents, the rates of skin cancer in Colorado are even higher.

It is important, then, that everyone understands not only the ways in which we can protect ourselves from harmful, cancer-causing UV radiation (avoiding sun during peak hours, using sun protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses, as well as year-round, daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher) but also what form skin cancers present themselves and the signs of each.

Basal Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer

Of the three major types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma is the most common, accounting for 3.6 million diagnoses per year. This type of skin cancer forms in the skin’s basal cells, which are responsible for producing new skin cells as old ones die off. Basal cell carcinoma most often forms on areas of the skin that have had previous sun exposure, such as the face, hands, scalp, and neck.

As with all forms of skin cancer, lesions present themselves in different colors, shapes, and sizes depending on skin type and ethnicity. However, some of the most common characteristics of basal cell carcinoma are pink shiny

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Skin Cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. Although most cases are not life-threatening, this cancer can have an aggressive behavior, metastasize, and it accounts for approximately 15,000 deaths per year. It forms in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outermost layers of the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma can present itself throughout the body and can manifest on the skin as any of the following: a firm, red nodule; a flat sore with a scaly crust; a new sore or raised area on an old scar or ulcer; a rough, scaly patch or a wartlike lesion. It can affect any area of the skin, including nails, anus or on the genitals, but it is typically seen in areas of chronic sun exposure such as face, ears, and back of the hands.

Melanoma Skin Cancer

While all forms of skin cancer should be taken extremely seriously, the most serious of all is melanoma. Melanoma accounts for only about 200,000 cases of skin cancer each year, but due to its tendency to spread, it can be difficult to treat if not detected early, leading to cancer growth in other areas of the body and possible death.

Melanoma can present itself throughout all areas of the body and is usually identified using the ABCDE rule (asymmetry, irregular border, unusual coloring, diameter, and lesions that evolve over time).

The good news is that melanoma is highly curable if detected early, with a 99% 5-year survival rate for patients within the US who are diagnosed in its earliest stage.

Early Detection Leads to Early Cure of Skin Cancer

At Vanguard Skin Specialists, our Mohs surgeons, Dr. Vinh Chung and Dr. Renata Prado, believe that an annual total body skin exam is the best route to the early detection and early cure of skin cancer. To schedule your total body skin exam today, contact Vanguard Skin Specialists at (719) 355-1585 or fill out our online appointment request form.

To learn more about skin cancer as well as a full list of the statistics mentioned in this blog, visit the website for the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Links to related posts:

• https://www.vanguardskin.com/should-i-be-worried-if-im-diagnosed-with-an-atypical-mole/
• https://www.vanguardskin.com/from-head-to-toe-why-our-dermatologists-insist-on-full-body-skin-exams-for-early-skin-cancer-detection/
• https://www.vanguardskin.com/skincancerawareness/
• https://www.vanguardskin.com/is-skin-cancer-on-the-rise/
• https://www.vanguardskin.com/skin-cancer-again-why-you-may-have-skin-cancer-more-than-once/

Related posts:

Should I Be Worried If I’m Diagnosed with an Atypical Mole? Skin Cancer Awareness: Early Detection and Prevention are Key What Can I Expect from a Skin Exam Is Skin Cancer Genetic?