| The exact cause of skin cancer is not known, | | | | Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include: |
| however, studies have shown that over exposure | | | | * Hard, red bump |
| to the harmful UV rays of the sun is a | | | | * Flat, crusty, patch of scaly skin |
| contributing factor. Approximately one million | | | | * Raised red areas |
| people in the United States are diagnosed with | | | | * Ulcerated skin |
| skin cancer each year. There are three basic | | | | Squamous cell carcinomas usually appear slowly |
| types of skin cancer. They are basal cell | | | | over time making it difficult to really spot. Those |
| carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and | | | | at risk are: |
| melanoma. | | | | * Those who smoke |
| Of all the types of skin cancers to treat, basal cell | | | | * Fair or light skinned people |
| carcinoma is the one that is most often seen. | | | | * Males |
| Besides being seen most often, basal cell | | | | * Those that have weak immune systems |
| carcinoma is also the easiest to diagnose and | | | | * Those that tend to over expose themselves to |
| treat. A basal cell carcinoma can pop up just | | | | the sun |
| about anywhere on your skin, however, they are | | | | The deadliest type of skin cancer is malignant |
| most commonly found on areas that receive a lot | | | | melanoma. It affects the cells that are responsible |
| of sun. | | | | for skin pigment. Ever year about 63,000 people |
| Here are some signs to look for basal cell | | | | are diagnosed with melanoma. It is most |
| carcinoma: | | | | commonly found on areas exposed to the sun. |
| * Scaly skin | | | | Signs of melanoma include: |
| * Open wounds that won't heal | | | | * An irregular shaped mole |
| * Bumps that don't go away | | | | * Suspicious moles that may be hard or bumpy |
| * White patches of skin that resemble scars | | | | * Itching, oozing or bloody moles |
| Pink spots that may be crusty or depressed in | | | | * Pigmentation around a mole that seems to be |
| the middle | | | | spreading |
| * Those that are at a greater risk for developing | | | | The ones who have a greater risk of developing |
| basal cell carcinoma are: | | | | melanoma are: |
| * Those that tend to get a lot of exposure to | | | | * Fair skinned people |
| the sun | | | | * Those who spend a lot of time in the sun |
| * Those that are light or fair skinned | | | | * Those that have a family history of melanoma |
| * Male gender | | | | * Those that have been diagnosed with |
| * Those with a family history of basal cell | | | | melanoma previously |
| carcinoma | | | | * Those with weak immune systems |
| * Those that have weak immune systems | | | | Skin cancer can be treated effectively is caught in |
| Squamous cell carcinoma is also quite common. | | | | its early stages. If you notice a spot on your skin |
| Every year about 250,000 new cases of | | | | that you are uncertain about, it is best to have it |
| squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed. The | | | | checked out early. An ounce of precaution now |
| biggest factor contributing to this is over | | | | may save you a lot of pain and suffering later on. |
| exposure to the sun. | | | | |