Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer that occurs in cells of skin. Other type of cancer may have their impact on skin but are not skin cancers. There are mainly three types of cancers:
• Basal cell skin cancer:
Also known as basal cell carcinoma. It is the least risky type of skin cancer. As soon it is traced, treatment of it becomes easier.
Causes: The main cause of Basal cell carcinoma is UV rays from sun and tanning bed which can also affect your DNA.
Symptoms: It look likes the flesh colored mole or pimple that have waxy hard outgrowth which is fragile and can bleed easily.
Treatment: There are various treatments for this – cutting and scraping the tumor, freezing or burning cancer cells, creams and pills.
Prevention: Try to avoid going out in sun, use recommended sunscreens, check your skin and dress properly.
• Squamous cell skin cancer:
SCC is slowly growing skin cancer. Unlike other types of skin cancer, it can spread to the tissues, bones, and nearby lymph nodes, where it may become hard to treat.
Causes: The main reasons for this is extra time spending in sunlight i.e. in contact of UV rays and exposure to chemicals like arsenic for long time.
Symptoms: It looks like the dome shaped bump which is rough and crusty. It bleed easily when scraped and cause itching.
Treatment: Depending on size and location of SCC doctors prefer one of the following techniques for curing it – Excision, Electric needle, Mohs surgery, Lymph node surgery, Chemotherapy, etc.
Prevention: Avoid going out in sun in peak hours, wear the clothes that cover exposed areas and avoid tanning beds.
• Melanomas:
It is the most serious type of skin cancers that develops from melanocytes, the cell which is responsible for color of skin.
Causes: High sun exposure is the main cause of melanomas. Other factors which are responsible for it are – family history, age, high number of moles on skin, etc.
Symptoms: There are few symptoms of it – skin change, skin sores that doesn’t heal, a firm red lump or spot that looks rough, dry and may bleed.
Treatment: Most common treatment for all skin cancer is surgery that take place at the time of biopsy or undergoing various therapies.
Prevention: Avoid going out in sun in peak hours, wear the clothes that cover exposed areas and avoid tanning beds.