| Sun exposure has been linked for several years | | | | the backs of the arms or hands, but are found |
| with skin cancer. More people are diagnosed with | | | | most frequently on the face, neck, or upper back. |
| this cancer than with any other. Therefore, it is | | | | These appear as painful reddish, scaly growths. |
| important to learn about skin cancer symptoms in | | | | These also seep or bleed, scab over, and drain |
| order to protect yourself and the ones you love. | | | | again. |
| Skin cancer often appears as a growth on the | | | | Malignant melanoma, the most dangerous type, |
| surface of the skin. Moles or marks that have | | | | usually appears on the trunk or legs. These may |
| been present since birth are rarely cancerous. | | | | appear as changes in moles or freckles, or may |
| Changes in the appearance of these moles or | | | | begin to grow spontaneously from a part of the |
| marks, however, can be a sign of malignancy, and | | | | skin that appears completely normal. These are |
| should be evaluated by a physician. | | | | often multi-colored, and can be brown, black, |
| Sometimes skin cancer looks like a sore or pimple | | | | white, red, or blue. |
| that does not heal. These areas may bleed, or | | | | Rarely, people may develop other types of skin |
| seep clear fluid. They may develop scabs, | | | | cancers. Kaposi's sarcoma is found in people with |
| appearing as though they are beginning to heal, | | | | weakened immune systems, such as persons |
| but then begin to bleed or seep again. | | | | with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or |
| Different skin cancers develop in different areas | | | | those who have had organ transplants. These are |
| of the body. Basal cell carcinomas usually appear | | | | painful purple spots that appear on the skin and |
| on skin surfaces frequently exposed to sun, like | | | | can spread to the lungs or digestive organs. |
| the face, neck, or upper back, and occasionally | | | | People with a high risk for skin cancer, such as |
| the hands or arms. They often seep yellowish | | | | those frequently exposed to sunlight or individuals |
| fluid, scab over, and begin again to ooze. When | | | | with a family member who has had cancer should |
| the skin is pulled taut, basal cell cancers are often | | | | consider examining their skin often. Skin cancer is |
| light grey in color. Sometimes tiny blood vessels | | | | usually very curable if it is found and treated |
| can be seen inside the tumors. | | | | early. Being aware of skin cancer symptoms and |
| In comparison, squamous cell carcinomas are | | | | examining your skin often will allow you to get |
| more likely than basal cell cancers to appear on | | | | medical treatment early, and may save your life. |