How To Detect the Signs of Skin Cancer

What Is Skin Cancer

Skin cancer, including the face is caused by long term overexposure to the sun. Persons with pale skin that freckles easily or have red or blonde hair with blue or green eyes are at the greatest risk of skin cancer. There are actually several types of skin cancer and can occur anywhere on the skin and face.

Pre Cancer

Facial and body pre cancer cells are the most common form with more than 10 million individuals having them. This is called Actinic Keratosis. Fairer skinned people are more susceptible to these facial pre cancer cells as well as those living closer to the equator due to the hotter climate. This is a scaly or crusty growth commonly seen on the face, ears, arms and scalp.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Approximately one million Americans will get Basal Cell Carcinoma which is in the lining of the skin and will resemble psoriasis and is easily cured if caught in time. This type also appears on the face.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the next most common facial skin cancer and is also curable if caught in time. Squamous Cell Carcinoma will appear as a thick scaly patch that can bleed. If this type is left untreated it can possibly spread to other organs.

Melanoma

The most serious form of facial skin cancer is melanoma. This form will show up as a mole or discoloration of the skin. It is important to watch any moles or discolorations for any changes or growth. There is a guideline called “ABCDE” rule to watch the moles on the body. A-asymmetry, B-border, C-color, D-diameter and E-evolving. Any changes detected should be reported to the physician immediately.

Treatment

Advances in surgery have increased cure rates to 95% with a procedure called Mohs Surgery. Instead of just removing the mole itself in traditional surgery, Mohs surgery takes minute sections of tissue of the area and tests the pieces each time. The procedure can be time consuming, however, by testing after each dissection, this gives the physician the ability to remove only the diseased areas, which ultimately removes all of the facial cancer at once without having to worry about it coming back.

Vigilance

Since facial skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, it is important to maintain a close watch on any changes to the skin. Any changes, however small, should be seen by a Dermatologist as these physicians are the only way to determine if a mole or skin legion has the ability to turn into cancer.

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