Skin cancers, like any other types of cancers, are symptoms that cannot be ignored. People who're 65 and above have about 40 - 50% of possiblity to develop at least one skin cancer. Initially, these skin cancers will begin as precancerous lesions which include squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.
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Over time, these precancerous lesions will change from non-maglinant to maglignant, or to be more exact, skin cancers that may definitely trigger your health problem. It's always wiser to equip yourself with the knowledge of skin cancers so that you can understand their symptoms while helping you to spot the early warning signs. Early detection is essential as it prompts you for further treatment. In most cases, skin cancers can be cured at the early stage.
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Apart from the common precancerous lesions mentioned earlier, Markel cell carcinoma (seen on sun-exposed areas such as arms, legs, head and neck, and may also spread to other parts of the body), sebaceous gland carcinoma (aggressive precancerous lesion due to oil glands in the skin) and Kaposi's sarcoma (commonly seen among people with weakened immune system) are some of the uncommon types of diagnosed skin cancers.
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In the final stage, maglinant melanoma is always chronic and difficult to cure. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are types of non-melanoma skin cancers. Both are always cured when early diagnosis and treatment are given. In a nutshel, early treatment can increase the survival rate. People who had skin cancer at least once in their lives are advised to have a check-up at least once a year to avoid the recurrent skin cancer incidences. Ideally, they're advised to check once a month.
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Of all precancerous lesions, Basal cell Carcinoma is the easiest-to-treat skin cancer as it spreads slowly. It's the most common seen skin cancers among the adults.
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Basal cell Carcinoma's tumor can appear over the neck, face, ears, chest or on the back in many forms, including a waxy bump or a pearly white, often accompanying with visible blood vessels, a flat, scaly, fresh-colored or brown patch (seen on the chest or back), and the rarely seen white, waxy scar.
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Bowen disease always appears as reddish, scaly patches that may be crusted. Due to its appearance, it's always mistaken for psoriasis, fungus, rashes or eczema. As it spreads outward on the surface of the skin, it gains its name as "insitu" squamous cell carcinoma. By contrast, the one that spreads inward to the interior of the body is called "invasive" squamous cell carcinoma.
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Actinic Keratosis, or also known as Solar Keratosis, is an early sign of skin cancer found among people who age 40 or above, and can also be seen among the young adults. It's a small, scaly patches appear elsewhere of the parts of the body, but they're more commonly seen on the head, neck or hands, or parts of body that are exposed to excessive UV sunlight. People who've green or blue eyes, red hair, fair skin and blond are most at risk of Actinic Keratosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are always prompted to stop its development to a serious squamous cell skin cancer.
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Melanoma is the most chronic and potentially deadly common skin cancer. It always starts in a form of a mole. The change in a pigmented area or the appearance of the mole characterizing the possible warning signs of melanoma. Therefore, I urge you to seek for a medical assistance if you notice your mole changes its color, shape or size. When your mole has an irregular edges, or more than one color, asymmetrical, itches, bleeds, or oozes, please consult your doctor as soon as possible.
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Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of non-melamona skin cancer that is usually seen on the lower lip, hands, nose, ears, and the forehead, and you may also find it elsewhere on the sun-exposed ares of your body. A firm red nodule, and a scaly growth that develops a crust or bleeds, or a sole that won't heal over the time, marking its characteristics. It's always curable if early treatment is given timely. If it progresses over the time, its treatment may be difficult as it'll depend on the stage of cancer.
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Actinic Cheilitis or also called Farmer's lip, is a typical cancerous conditions seen particularly on the lower lips. Actinic Cheilitis can progress into invasive squamous cell carcinoma if it's left untreated. Its common symtoms are the presence of persistent dryness and cracking, or scaly patches of the lips. However, its rarely seen symptoms may also include loss of the sharp border between the skin and lips, and prominent lip lines, or swelling of the lips.
