Skin cancer can be described as a malignant growth on the skin, which is usually visible in the form of a growth, an irritation or sore that does not heal. A change in a wart or mole can also fall in this category. Though the cancer can affect any and every person in this world, the people who have fair skin that freckles easily are at a greater risk. If such people have blue or light-colored eyes and red or blond hair, the risk of getting skin cancer increases further. In order to ensure that the cancer does not become life threatening, it is very necessary to detect its symptoms at the early stages, diagnose it on time and take the treatment as soon as possible.
Skin Cancer Warning Signs:
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer:
Nonmelanoma skin cancer develops slowly, over a period of time and destroys the nearby tissues. It mainly results from an over exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Since the growth of this cancer is quite slow, it is possible to detect it at an early stage and undergo treatment, which involves removing it either with surgery or by freezing. The symptoms of this type of skin cancer are:
Basal cell skin carcinoma is a skin cancer that not only invades normal skin tissue, but also damages deeper tissues, such as muscles and bones, in turn affecting the appearance of the skin. In the first instance, this cancer grows quite slowly and does not spread to other body parts. However, in case of a relapse, it may grow faster and cause more tissue damage. It mostly affects light-skinned people and is rarely seen in those with a dark complexion. Though the symptoms of Basal cell cancer can vary, they mostly include skin changes like:
Out of all the types of skin cancers, Squamous cell Carcinoma is amongst the least common ones. It also involves a slow cancerous growth, which often develops in injured or diseased skin areas and is usually disfiguring in nature. It is much more invasive than basal cell carcinoma and can spread from the scalp, ears, eyelid, nose, or lips to other areas of the body. The symptoms of this type of skin cancer are:
Skin Cancer Warning Signs:
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer:
Nonmelanoma skin cancer develops slowly, over a period of time and destroys the nearby tissues. It mainly results from an over exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Since the growth of this cancer is quite slow, it is possible to detect it at an early stage and undergo treatment, which involves removing it either with surgery or by freezing. The symptoms of this type of skin cancer are:
- Change in the skin, such as a growth
- An irritation or sore that does not heal
- A change in a wart or mole
Basal cell skin carcinoma is a skin cancer that not only invades normal skin tissue, but also damages deeper tissues, such as muscles and bones, in turn affecting the appearance of the skin. In the first instance, this cancer grows quite slowly and does not spread to other body parts. However, in case of a relapse, it may grow faster and cause more tissue damage. It mostly affects light-skinned people and is rarely seen in those with a dark complexion. Though the symptoms of Basal cell cancer can vary, they mostly include skin changes like:
- Red, tender, flat spot that bleeds easily
- Small, fleshy bump with a smooth, pearly appearance (often with an indentation in the middle)
- Smooth, shiny bump that may look like a mole, with change in its size, shape, or color
- A bump that bleeds, itches, crusts over, and then repeats the cycle
- Scar-like patch of skin, especially on the face, that is firm to the touch
- Pearly bump with tiny blood vessels, in a spider-like appearance
Out of all the types of skin cancers, Squamous cell Carcinoma is amongst the least common ones. It also involves a slow cancerous growth, which often develops in injured or diseased skin areas and is usually disfiguring in nature. It is much more invasive than basal cell carcinoma and can spread from the scalp, ears, eyelid, nose, or lips to other areas of the body. The symptoms of this type of skin cancer are:
- Skin growth that looks like a wart
- Persistent, firm, red bump on sun-exposed skin
- Patch of skin that feels scaly, bleeds, or develops a crust, which may get bigger over a period of months and form a sore
- Sore that does not heal
- An area of thickened skin on the lower lip
