Most skin cancers are slow-growing, easy to recognize, and easy to treat
in a doctor's office. A small percentage of skin cancers are more serious.
FAMILY HEALTH CARE +Your complete online medical source |
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Fortunately, many types of skin cancer are easy to cure.
Most skin cancer is caused by sun damage. Ninety percent of skin cancers occur on the face, neck, and arms, where sun exposure is greatest. Light-skinned, blue-eyed people are more likely to develop skin cancer. Dark-skinned people have less risk.
Most skin cancers are slow-growing, easy to recognize, and easy to treat
in a doctor's office. A small percentage of skin cancers are more serious.
Skin cancers differ from noncancerous growths in the following ways:
Most moles are harmless. However, malignant melanomas (one type of cancerous mole) can be fatal and should be promptly treated.
    |
| Watch for these mole changes. |
|---|
|
Prevention |
Most skin cancers can be prevented by avoiding excessive exposure to the sun. Most damaging sun exposure has occurred by age 20, so keep your children protected (See Sunburn). Repeated sun exposure and severe sunburns are major factors in some types of skin cancer.
Home Treatment |
Examine your skin with a mirror or another person's help. Look for unusual moles, spots, bumps, or sores that won't heal. Pay special attention to areas that get a lot of sun exposure: hands, arms, chest, neck (especially the back of the neck), face, ears, etc. Report any changes to your doctor.
|
When to Call a Health Professional |
Call your doctor if you notice any unusual skin changes or growths, especially if they bleed and continue to change.
If your moles do not change over time, there is little cause for concern. If you have a family history of malignant melanoma, let your doctor know because you may be at higher risk for malignant melanoma. Call your doctor if you notice any of the following changes in a mole: