Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, affecting all age from adolescence upwards. Melanoma. The rarest and most notorious skin cancer. Appearance: a spot, a freckle or mole changing in our, thickness or shape over a period of months. Often dark brown to black, or blue-black, it affects all ages and can appear anywhere on the body. Treated early, results in total cure in 95 per cent of cases.
Squamous Ceil Carcinoma (SCC).
Is moderately dangerous, represents 20 per of skin cancers. Appears most commonly only people over 40. Characterized scaling, red areas that may bleed easily or ulcerate, with appearance of healing sores. Rapid growth over a few months. It appears on sites most often exposed to the sun.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC).
These are the least dangerous and most frequent skin cancers. Appearance: small, round or flattened lumps in skin, which are red, pale or pearly in color, and may have blood vessels apparent on surface. Grow slowly, most commonly in people over 40. Usually appear on the face. Solar Keratoses (Sunspots). Not a skin cancer, but a warning that you are prone to skin cancer. Occur in 40-50 per cent of people over 40 arid also less frequently in younger people. Slightly red, rather flat scaling areas, may sting if scratched, come and go of their own accord. Appear on face, hands and forearms. If you suspect a spot on your skin, tell your doctor about it, now. Don’t wait. Each year skin cancer kills nearly 1,000 Australians. Don’t be one of them. Treated early enough, skin cancers can be cured in 99 per cent of cases. If you suspect a spot, tell your doctor.
It may suddenly darken and develop into a deep blue or black mole that turns into El melanoma. This is a very serious form of skin cancer. Major treatment is essential, and if not undertaken promptly and preferably before it commences to spread, it can endanger the life! It is difficult for many to believe that an innocuous-looking skin mark could jeopardise life, but this is the fact of the situation.
Basal Cell Carcinoma. The basal cell carcinoma is the most common invasive skin cancer. It is imperative that any skin blemish resembling one of these lesions be promptly diagnosed by a doctor, and treatment instituted immediately. Results from treatment are excellent, Basal cell carcinoma occurs most commonly on parts of the body exposed to sunlight. and a complete cure results when carried out early. This represents the most effective form of cancer treatment for any region of the body.
The BCC (as they are commonly referred to by doctors) usually starts as a small scaling of the skin. A small whitish flake develops. It may persist for days or weeks or months. Then it drops off There may be a slight degree of reddening underneath.
Soon after, another flake forms. It too finally falls off. This procedure can gradually persist for a period of many months, even years. All the time, the underlying lesion imperceptibly increases in size. It gradually becomes raised, and more inflamed. The edges tend to become translucent and “pearly.” Small vessels may be noted coursing over the outer margins. Bleeding may occur, even with very slight bumping or picking.
These are more common in people over the age of 40 years. The exposed areas of the face, particularly the forehead, nose, corners of the eye and cars are at special risk. They tend to be more common in outdoor workers and those exposed to prolonged hot sunshine and the elements. For this reason, farmers and those working outdoors in western regions are affected. It used to be a common sight to sec graziers with large areas missing from one or both ears.
The progress of BCCs is inexorably steady. Development is so slow that they are often overlooked by the patient. Fortunately they seldom spread except to adjacent areas. The eye, car, nose, bone, may be affected. However, if this occurs, it is usually due to complete neglect by the patient. Fortunately this is now becoming an increasing rarity, but it is still seen occasionally.
Skin Cancer Symptoms
Here are the key points indicating that a simple mole may be turning into a melanoma.
- A sudden increase in size of the mole.
- Pigmentation ring developing around the base.
- Uneven pigmentation developing in the mole (dark blue or black).
- Loss of hair in the mole.
- Ulceration or bleeding in the mole. (This is often a later and therefore serious sign.)
- Irregular margins.
Skin Cancer Treatment
While the vast majority of hair containing, coffee-coloured moles are of no serious significance, if there is any doubt, see the doctor. If an existing mole is showing any of the signs noted, medical attention is necessary. Under no circumstances neglect a mole showing significant of activity. It could be disastrous. Don’t fiddle with moles. Leave them alone. Excessive exposure to the sun and elements undoubtedly plays a part in development of melanomas. Considering this when pursuing summer sporting activities, and use a suitable form of protection. Lying exposed for hours – the summer sunshine in the years youth could produce undesirable repercussions later. Youth tends to forget and lives to regret it.
It is far better to attend a physician and have a negative diagnosis to a skin lesion than for the reverse. If ever in doubt, check!
Moles are sometimes removed for cosmetic reasons. This is either by surgery, or liquid nitrogen. As a temporary remedy, masking preparations may be used if in an obvious sc that is causing embarrassment on so,: occasions. Masking agents such Dermablend and Covermark are expensive, but last a long time, and are very effective.
The treatment of melanomas is a specialist procedure and usually involves surgery
It is imperative that any persisting spot on the skin be checked out by the doctor promptly. The description given is often noticed by patients. Sensible people immediately attend their physician for confirmation of the diagnosis and immediate treatment, which consists complete removal of the cancer. This is often carried out surgically. This enables the lesion to be available for test by pathologist.
Other forms of treatment may be useful especially in the early stages. A popular method is diathermy and curetting of the lesion. This enables its complete destruction. X-ray therapy is still used by some, doctors, but is not as popular as it once was.