What are the different types of skin cancers? Which is the most common?
Which is the most serious? Skin cancers can range from cosmetic to life-threatening. Many people get basal cell carcinomas (BCC), which grow very slowly and cause cosmetic damage to areas such as the ears and nose, but never metastasize. BCCs can look like small red areas or pearly nodular raised bumps. Less common is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which can metastasize, and has a scaly irregular surface. Least common is melanoma, but it is most life-threatening as it is the most likely to metastasize if not removed early. How much sun exposure puts one at risk for developing skin cancer? Are there other causes of skin cancer? Most skin cancers are related to sun exposure. The number of sunburns a person has during their adolescent years correlates with skin cancer risk later on. What signs should I look for in detecting skin cancer? When should I contact a doctor? For melanoma, we look for the ABCDs: A for asymmetry, B for (irregular) border, C for (darker or varying) color and D for
