Sunday, June 7, 2009

Not Every Type Of Skin Cancer Is Deadly

By Kathy Forcey

One of the most common forms of cancer is skin cancer. It is easy to prevent it, and it is very curable, but it must be detected early on. There are three main types of skin cancer that you might see on your skin.

The first type of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. They are generally found in areas that have been overexposed to the sun. The face and ears are typical locations for this type of skin cancer. With squamous cell carcinoma, you will most often have a bump in the beginning and it will eventually turn into an open sore that will not heal. It will continue to get larger and larger if left untreated. It will also spread to other parts of the body if you do not get treatment for this type of skin cancer.

The next kind you should be aware of is the most common. Basal cell carcinoma makes up three quarters of all skin cancers. The face, hands, and neck are the places it typically appears. If discovered quickly enough, basal cell carcinoma has effective treatment options and can usually be cured without too much difficulty. Frequently, an irritated sore that bleeds is an early sign of basal cell carcinoma. However, sometimes basal cell carcinoma can be overlooked because the sore may also resemble a fresh scar.

The third type of skin cancer is the most dangerous of all of them. It is melanoma and it can be found on any area of the body. It is usually found on the arms and legs in the beginning. It will look like a mole or freckle that has recently appeared on the skin. It can also be from an existing mole that has recently changed its size, shape or color. The border of the melanoma will be indistinguishable and it may have more than one color.

It may be impossible to distinguish the border of a melanoma. It may consist of more than one color. This type of skin cancer must be found and eradicated early on. In this way, the problems that accompany the late stages of this cancer can be avoided.

You can do a great deal to prevent skin cancer from occurring. Make sure that you take precautions when you are out in the sun to protect your skin at all times. Wear a sunscreen every time you are outside no matter the season.

The best chance you have of surviving skin cancer is to detect it early. Make sure to cover your exposed areas with clothing and protect your head and face by wearing a hat. Be aware of any changes in your skin.

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