
Skin Cancer
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There are many types of skin cancers, but the ones most commonly seen are the following:
- Basal cell skin cancers (most common)
- Squamous cell skin cancer
- Melanomas (least common but most deadly)
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Many skin cancers are known to be induced by UV light. This is the most important reason that we recommend sun protection.
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Some skin cancers arise in areas not seen by light!

Melanoma
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Melanoma can be deadly.
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Melanoma is much more likely to spread to other parts of the body if it is not caught early.
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Fortunately, there are now newer treatments for melanoma which have finally shown some hope!
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Melanomas tend to be very dark in color, black, grey or blue, but they can actually be skin colored, red, pink, even have yellow tones, etc.
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Pay close attention for changing moles or new spots that bleed easily or won’t heal.
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Risk factors for melanoma include family history, intense sun burns, multiple moles and many others.
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If you have a mole that is changing, see a health care provider!
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Look for dark or easily bleeding spots under the nails! Remember to check your feet and hands!
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Remember the ABCDE’s of melanoma
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Asymmetry (does one side look like the other?)
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Border (is it irregular?)
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Color (is it multicolored?)
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Diameter (how big is it? Bigger than a pencil eraser, show it to a doctor)
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Evolution (did your mole always look one way, and then change?)
Basal cell skin cancers
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Fortunately, most of the time these skin cancers do not metastasize or spread to other parts of the body.
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They will continue to grow if they are left untreated.
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Sometimes when growing they cause skin breakdown called “ulcers”.
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When they start, they leave some signs. Look for the following:
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A spot that looks like a pimple that won’t go away
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A bright pink dry scaly patch that sometimes bleeds
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Bleeding with baths or face washing
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Basal cell skin cancers are often treated by surgical destruction or excision, sometimes with stitches, and if they are thin, sometimes with a cream.
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There are some families who will develop hundreds of these skin cancers in their lifetime.
Squamous cell skin cancer
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Unfortunately, this type of skin cancer can metastasize or spread to other areas of the body where they can be deadly.
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High risk sites include the lip and the ear, among others.
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Some people are at higher risk for these skin cancers including the following:
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People with organ transplants on immune suppressive medications
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Certain medications like voriconazole (an antifungal medication)
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Squamous cell skin cancers often look like a small marble on the skin with a central crater or dry scaly patches that bleed.
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They often show up on the lower legs in women.

