Though most moles on the body are harmless, they are often one of the first visible signs of skin cancer. Because of this, it is crucial that you regularly check your skin for changes. When monitoring your skin and looking for new or changing growths, look for color, shape and size.
- Asymmetry: A healthy mole is symmetrical. This means the left and right side look alike.
- Borders: A healthy mole has even borders. This means that the edges are clean and form a circle or oval shape.
- Color: Healthy moles are all the same color – usually a shade of brown. If a mole is unhealthy, it might be black or many different colors.
- Diameter: Healthy moles are usually smaller than 6 mm across. This is about the size of a pencil eraser.
- Evolving: Healthy moles do not change in size, shape or color. If you notice a mole is getting bigger, changing shapes or getting darker than normal, this could be a sign of a malignant mole.
When watching for moles, pay most attention to the areas with the most sun exposure, including:
- Scalp
- Ears
- Face and lips
- Neck and chest
- Arms and hands
Check out this article to learn how you can identify a potentially cancerous mole.
Signs and Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basel cell carcinoma forms in the outer layer of your skin. Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:
- Flat, firm, pearly or waxy areas that may look like a scar
- Reddish patches that may be itchy
- Growths with raised edges and an indented center
Basal cell carcinoma can be fragile and may bleed after shaving or a minor injury.
Signs and Symptoms of Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma forms in the outer layer of your skin. Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:
- Raised growths, sometimes with an indented center
- Open sores
- Wart-like growths
- Rough or scaly patches
Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma
Melanoma is less common than basal or squamous cell carcinoma, but it is more likely to grow and spread. It forms in cells called melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, a brown pigment that gives your skin its color and helps protect against some of the sun’s damaging UV rays. Melanoma may appear as:
- Newly pigmented or unusual-looking skin growths
- Changes in existing moles, freckles or age spots
- Band of dark-brown or black skin around or beneath a fingernail or toenail
You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Remember to practice sun safety all year round when you are outdoors. Some important steps to take include:
- Avoid excessive time in the sun. During hot summer months, choose the shade over direct sunlight.
- Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, all year long.
- Cover sensitive skin areas like your head, face, ears and neck. During the warm summer months, choose lightweight fabrics to cover your body while remaining cool. Hats and sunglasses can also be used year-round.
- Avoid tanning beds, which give off UV rays.
There are additional risks to be aware of such as exposure to toxic substances, like arsenic, and having a condition that weakens your immune system.
Checking your skin regularly is important. If you see an unusual growth, abnormal skin changes or discolored areas of skin, you should report it to your doctor so they can diagnose and treat it before it has a chance to turn into skin cancer.
Self Exam
Because signs of skin cancer can easily go unnoticed, it is important to conduct regular self-exams of your body. Look for new or changing moles or skin growths. Follow the ABCDE rule for identifying suspicious growths.
Office Exam
Seeing a dermatologist should be a normal part of your routine healthcare. Your dermatologist can conduct a thorough exam of your body. If they notice any suspicious skin growths, they may remove it for a biopsy. Based on the biopsy results, you may be referred for further testing.
Treatment for skin cancer can vary based on several factors, including what stage it is discovered. Most types of skin cancers can be treated using a localized treatment, like a minor surgery or cryotherapy. In more extreme cases when the cancer has spread beyond the skin, you may need more advanced care like chemotherapy or radiation.
Treating Very Minor Forms of Skin Cancer
When skin cancer is detected early and has not grown or spread, it can often be treated quickly and fairly pain-free at a dermatology office.
- Cryotherapy: Uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the affected skin, in turn killing the cancerous cells.
- Laser Therapy: Uses an intense beam of light to vaporize cancerous growths with little to no damage to surrounding tissue. This treatment may result in little bleeding, swelling and scarring.
- Minor Surgical Procedures: One example is curettage and electrodessication (C and E). This involves scraping off the surface of the skin cancer using a small instrument (curet) and then searing the base of the cancer with an electric needle.
- Photodynamic Therapy: A liquid drug is applied to the skin to make cancerous cells more sensitive. Then, a light is shined onto the skin to destroy the cancerous cells.
Treating Larger Skin Cancers That Have Not Spread
If you have been diagnosed with a larger squamous cell carcinomas or a cancer that is deeper into your skin, some of your options may include:
- Excisions: “Excision” means to cut out. There are different types of excisions your doctor may do to remove a cancerous growth depending on the size, type and location of cancerous growth. During the procedure, your doctor will cut out the cancerous tissue, along with a surrounding margin of healthy skin. After the growth is removed, a pathologist will study the tissue to make sure all the cancerous cells are gone.
- Mohs Surgery: Your doctor will cut out the skin cancer layer by layer, examining each layer under a microscope until no abnormal cells remain. This allows the surgeon to be certain the entire growth is removed, while avoiding the removal of healthy skin.
Additional Treatment Options, Including for Skin Cancer that has Spread to Other Areas
- Chemotherapy: Chemo refers to the process of using medicine to treat cancer. With skin cancer, these medicines are typically applied onto the skin. With more advanced skin cancer, it may be given via pill or IV.
- Immunotherapy: A type of medication that will boost your body’s immune system so that it can better fight the cancer.
- Radiation: These high-powered energy beams are used to kill cancer cells, typically in cancer that have spread beyond the skin. At Bronson, patients undergoing this type of therapy will be treated using the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator’s HyperArc technology. This reduces radiation treatment times, reduces patient movement during treatment and improves tumor targeting. Learn how it works.
If you notice a change in your skin, contact your primary care provider right away. They can help you identify a potential concern and make a referral to a dermatologist if needed.
