There are many types of cancers, and it is still one of the most deadly.
Lung cancer is the most dangerous form, followed closely by prostate, bowel and breast cancer.
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These four cancers account almost for half of the total cancer deaths, or 45 percent.
According to Cancer Research, approximately 16,200 people are diagnosed each year with skin cancer in the UK.
Around 2,333 deaths occur tragically from these patients.
Early detection of signs and symptoms could help you survive.
Experts suggest that you check your skin regularly to detect any signs of the disease returning or new melanomas.
What is skin carcinoma?
Skin cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells on the skin.
This growth can occur when damage is caused to skin cells – most often caused by UV radiation from sunshine or tanning beds.
These mutations can cause skin cancers or other genetic defects.
Skin cancer is the fifth most frequent form of cancer in the UK.
These are the signs and symptoms:
- Spot, pimple, or sore
- Ulcer
- One lump
- Your skin may have red patches
What are the risks?
- Non-melanoma skin carcinoma is more common in older people.
- Previous skin cancer
- A family history of skin cancer
- Sun exposure
- There are certain skin conditions that can cause severe skin reactions, including solar keratosis, sunburn, xerodermapigmentosum and those who have eczema or Psoriasis.
- Others include those who have a weak immune system or are exposed to radiation in the past.
- Sunburns can increase your chance of getting this disease. Skin cancer can be contracted by just five sunburns.
Skin cancer types
Melanoma
It can occur anywhere on the body but it is most prevalent on the back, arms, and face.
Melanomas can spread to other organs in the body – which makes them more deadly.
Melanoma’s most obvious sign is the appearance or modification of an existing mole.
You should be on the lookout for moles.
- Growing bigger
- Change your shape
- Change of colour
- Bleeding/getting crusty
- Itchy or painful
Basal cell carcinomas
Basal cell cancer (BCC), sometimes referred as a rodent’s ulcer.
The disease affects only the outermost cells of the skin.
BCCs can be identified by a sudden increase in skin growth:
- Looks silky and pearly
- It looks waxy
- Looks like a large, reddish lump
- Sometimes bleeds
- Accumulates a scab/crust
- Never fully heal
- Itchy or itchy?
- It looks like a flat, red spot and is scaly.
- The ulcer becomes a painless one
BCCs account for around 75% of all skin cancers. They are slow-growing and rarely spread to other parts.
This form of skin cancer can usually be treated early.
BCCs that become more aggressive may spread into deeper layers of the skin or into the bones, making it more difficult to treat.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is another form of skin cancer that is not related to melanomas.
This is a form of cancer that affects the keratinocyte cells, which are located in the outer skin layer.
These cells are found primarily on the head, neck, bald hair, arms and lower legs.
It is the second most prevalent type of skin cancer.
- Look scaly
- A hard, crusty cap
- Raised skin
- Touching is tender
- Bleed sometimes
Is it possible to treat the disease?
Skin cancer is often treated when detected early.
There are a few things that can affect how skin cancer is treated.
Types of treatment can depend on the type of skin cancer, how far it’s spread, where the cancer is and what stage it’s at.
Surgery is the best treatment for skin cancer.
Most of the time, the procedure is minor and performed under local anaesthesia.
Depending on the location of the cancer, or if it covers more area, some may need a skin transplant.
There are many types of surgery, depending on the type and size of the cancer.
If surgery isn’t possible, there are other options: radiotherapy or immunotherapy.
Visit:cancerresearchuk.org
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