
Cancers of the skin are the most common of all cancers but not all skin cancers are the same. The three common types of skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma most often occurs on sun-exposed skin, such as the scalp, the backs of the hands, ears or lips. This type of cancer is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of the body, causing serious complications.
Basal cell carcinoma begins in the basal cells — a type of cell within the skin that produces new skin cells as old ones die off. Most basal cell carcinomas are thought to be caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. Avoiding the sun and using sunscreen may help protect against basal cell carcinoma.
Melanoma is the least common of the three skin cancers but the most serious. This type of cancer can occur in many different areas of the body including areas that don't get much sun exposure such as the soles of your feet and palms of your hands. Melanoma can be treated successfully if it is detected early.
The first melanoma signs and symptoms often include:
Knowing the warning signs of skin cancer can help ensure that cancerous changes are detected and treated before the cancer has spread.
Factors that may increase your risk of melanoma include:
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