Detect Skin Cancer...Early!

BY DR. ANDREW WORD, DERMATOLOGIST AT WORD DERMATOLOGY

As summer rages on here in North Texas, remember that we get a ton of sun exposure. With sun exposure, over time, comes the risk for developing skin cancers. Here are some signs of the most common types of skin cancer and how to detect them early.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer but also the least aggressive type. BCCs grow slowly and have the lowest chance of spreading elsewhere in the body. Remember that BCCs are still skin cancers and can be locally destructive. BCC often starts as a pink bump with a “pearly” appearance that can be tender and bleed.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are more worrisome as they can grow more quickly and have a higher chance of spreading elsewhere in the body, or metastasizing. SCCs can also be quite destructive locally if not treated in a timely manner. They often start as scaly or crusted bumps and can become painful and prone to bleeding and ulceration. Both BCCs and SCCs most commonly occur on the face, but they can occur in really any area where someone has had sunburns or a lot of sun exposure, including the scalp, ears, neck, trunk, arms, and legs.

To protect yourself, remember to apply sunscreen to all sun-exposed areas. Use sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB (contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Reapply sunscreen every 1 to 2 hours while outside and after swimming and sweating. Wear sun protective clothing: wide brimmed hat, pants, long sleeves, sunglasses.

If you notice any new skin growth that is not healing, growing in size, painful, or bleeding, contact your dermatologist. We’ll be happy to help you out!

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STORY BY CINDY BURCH

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