How many types of skin cancer are there?
• There are many types, but the most common ones are basal cell carcinoma followed by squamous cell carcinoma. Luckily, melanoma which has a greater ability to spread to other places in the body is less common than basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Can I prevent myself from getting skin cancer? Protection from sunlight is very important in trying to prevent skin cancers. Apply sunscreen every day. For most people, one application will last a full day, but with excessive exposure to the sun, reapplication and use of higher SPF’s and UVA blocking sunscreens may be necessary. Wide brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts are also protective. Any degree of tanning can damage the skin. Use of suntan parlors are absolutely not recommended and discouraged. How can I tell if a mole is suspicious for melanoma? • The ABCDE’s for recognizing a mole suspicious for a melanoma are: • A – Asymmetry If you draw a line down the center of a lesion and the two halves do not appear to match, i
