What is Skin Cancer?

“Melanoma” is a type of cancer that begins in the skin. It is completely curable when detected early, but can be fatal if allowed to progress and spread. Cancer is a condition where one type of cell grows without limit in a disorganized fashion, disrupting and replacing normal tissues and their functions, much like weeks overgrowing a garden. Unfortunately, the incidence of skin cancer has grown locally and nationwide. In fact, each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers.

There are different types of skin cancer based on the types of skin cells involved:

• Actinic Keratosis
• Basal Cell Carcinoma
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
• Melanoma

Look for Early Warning Signs

Early detection and treatment is important. Everyone should be aware of new or changing moles, sores that don’t heal and pimples that don’t go away. These conditions could signal something more serious – if you have concerns, seek a dermatologist’s diagnosis early.

What Causes Skin Cancer?

We are not certain how all cases of melanoma develop; however, it is clear that excessive sun exposure, especially severe blistering sunburns during childhood can promote melanoma. There is also evidence that ultraviolet radiation used in indoor tanning equipment may also cause melanoma. Anyone can get melanoma, but fair skinned sun sensitive people are at greater risk. Melanoma does run in families. It is also more common in people with more than 50 moles on their body (the average is 30), and those with moles that are unusual and irregular looking. If you have some of these risk factors, periodic routine skin examinations by your dermatologist can truly be life saving.

Skin Cancer Resources