Common Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a very common disease in some countries, especially Western societies. This health condition varies in different types. This is what we are going to discuss below.

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Basically, there are three major types of this cancer. People are encouraged to know these different types to get educated and help prevent having them.

The names of each skin cancer type actually derived from the scientific terms that label the body tissues in the skin. Human skin is made up of various cells, which are basal cells, squamous cells, and melanocytes.

Depending on the affected area, the skin cancer can be called as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma. Among these, the most common is melanoma. Take note the word “carcinoma” is another term for cancer.

Skin cancer can be easily detected if the skin itself starts to change. The color becomes dark or brown. A blemish in small size also appears. Any abnormal changes in the skin are potential signs of this specific kind of cancer. You also feel headache, fever, and nausea, and lose weight unexpectedly if you have one of those cancer types.

Melanoma

1. Melanoma

If this becomes untreated earlier, it can cause a serious effect. That’s because cancer in melanocytes can grow quickly. It can easily spread to other parts. You can spot blemishes in two or more colors from brown to black and grey to red. The obvious signs of the spots can be asymmetrical, larger than 7mm diameter, and have border.

2. Basal Cell Carcinoma

This is also a common type of skin cancer, but least dangerous than the other two. Like melanoma, it can easily grow. Its obvious sign can be dry and scaly or lumpy. The color of the affected area becomes red or pale.

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3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma

This is the slowest to grow among all those types of skin cancer. It grows and spreads after several months. The symptom is thick, scaly spot in red color. It can also bleed, ulcerate, or crust.

Once you see any changes in your skin, primarily spots or blemishes, don’t hesitate to go consult a physician. It must be diagnosed if it’s skin cancer or just another allergy. Ruling out to be cancer is what to be expected. But if you’re positive that it’s cancer, at least it’s detected early and can be highly treated.

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