Whether you spend a lot of time outside in the sun or there is a history of cancer in your family, no one is immune to skin cancer. It can impact any gender, ethnicity, or age. There are times when you won’t know that you have skin cancer until it has spread to the tissues underneath the top layer of the skin. If you pay attention to changes on your body, there are a few signs that you can look for if you suspect that you might have skin cancer.
You’ll usually see areas of cancer on your skin that has been exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Common areas of cancer development on the skin include the face, scalp, arms, and hands. Even though areas that see the most sunlight are common for skin cancer development, the disease can impact any area of your body. This kind of cancer impacts those who have light and dark skin. Those who have dark skin often see skin cancer develop in areas that aren’t exposed to sunlight as much as those that are exposed.
Basal Cell
This is the type of cancer that is often seen on areas of your skin that see more sunlight than others. You will likely see a bump that has a pearly appearance or one that looks waxy. The area could also be flat and have the same color as the surrounding flesh. Sometimes, skin cancer can look like a small, brown lesion on your body. If you notice any kind of abnormal bump that appears out of nowhere, then you should get it examined. A biopsy of the area can be performed to determine if it’s skin cancer and whether it’s malignant or benign.
Squamous Cell
This is another type of skin cancer that often appears on areas of your skin that are exposed to the sun, such as your face, hands, and arms. This kind of cancer usually appears as a small, red bump. It can also look like a flat, red area on your skin that has a scaly texture.
Melanoma
The most common type of skin cancer, melanoma can begin anywhere and quickly spread to other areas of your skin. It can also invade the underlying tissues, causing cancer to spread to other areas of your body instead of only your skin. This type of skin cancer usually begins as a mole or a lesion that is dark in color. Pay attention to any moles that you see that change size, shape, or color, as these need to be examined.
Make an appointment at the office of Dr. Michael I. Jacobs in New York, NY if you suspect that there are changes on your skin that could indicate cancer. Contact us today to arrange a skin exam. We look forward to speaking with you!