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Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than one million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are found in this country each year.
The American Cancer Society estimated about 10,500 deaths from skin cancer in 2005 - 7,700 from melanoma and 2,800 from other skin cancers.
You are your own first line of defense
Most of the spots on your skin – freckles, birthmarks, moles – are normal, but some may be skin cancers. There are three main types of skin cancer. Fortunately, they can usually be discovered at an early stage, when they are readily curable. If you ever spot these or any other suspicious or changing growths, see your Dr. Shafa promptly.
What are the signs and symptoms of skin cancer? |
Skin cancer can be found early, and both doctors and patients play important roles in finding skin cancer. If you have any of the following symptoms, tell Dr. Shafa.
Any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule, A change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness, or pain
The spread of pigmentation beyond its border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
Type of cancers
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
The most common form of skin cancer. BCC can appear as translucent or pearly bumps; white, yellow or waxy scar-like areas; pink growths with slightly elevated, rolled borders and a crusted indentation; open sores that bleed or ooze for weeks; and red, scaly patches on the head, chest, shoulders, arms or legs.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
The second most common skin cancer. SCC can appear as a pink to red scaly patch with irregular borders or wart-like, crusty growths or persistent open sores that may bleed; or elevated growths with a central depression that may rapidly increase in size.
Melanoma and ABCDEs of Melanoma
The third most common and the most deadly form of skin cancer. The "ABCDE rule" is an easy guide to remembering the usual signs of melanoma. Consult Dr. Shafa immediately if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit the followings:
ABCDEs of Melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variability, Diameter over ¼”, and Evolving
A: Most early melanomas are Asymmetrical: a line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical.
B: The Borders of early melanomas are often uneven, irregular, blurred and may be scalloped or notched edges. Common moles have smoother (more even) borders.
C: Common moles usually are a single shade of brown. Varied shades of brown, tan, or black can be the first sign of melanoma, and may progress to the Colors red, white, and blue.
growths with a central depression that may rapidly increase in size.
D: Early melanomas usually grow larger than common moles – generally to at least the size of a pencil eraser (about 6mm or ¼” in Diameter).
E: When a moles is Evolving (changing), see Dr. Shafa. Be alert for any change – in size, shape, color, elevation, bleeding, itching, crusting or any other trait – in an existing mole or the appearance of a new spot.
Some melanomas do not fit the ABCDE rule described above, so it is particularly important for you to notice changes in skin markings or new spots on your skin.
Other warning signs are:
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A sore that does not heal |
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A new growth |
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Spread of pigment from the border of a spot to surrounding skin |
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Redness or a new swelling beyond the border |
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Change in sensation—itchiness, tenderness, or pain |
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Change in the surface of a mole—scaling, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a bump or nodule |
What is the chance of my mole to become skin cancer?
Although an individual mole is unlikely to become malignant (the lifetime risk being about 1 in 3,000 to 10,000), the single best predictor of risk for development of melanoma is the total number of moles.
Who is at high risk for hereditary melanoma (Skin Cancer)?
Patients with atypical moles who are from melanoma-prone families (i.e. 2 or more 1st-degree relatives have cutaneous melanomas) have a high lifetime risk of developing melanomas. Atypical moles risk of conversion to skin cancer increases with higher number of atypical moles as well as with increasing sun exposure.
Familial atypical mole–melanoma syndrome refers to the presence of multiple atypical moles and melanoma in 2 or more 1st-degree relatives. These patients are at markedly increased risk (25×) for melanoma.
How often should my mole to be examined?
Patients with multiple atypical moles and a personal or family history of melanoma should be examined regularly (yearly for family history, more often for personal history of melanoma).
The entire skin (including the scalp) should be examined carefully and biopsy should be performed of one or more atypical-appearing lesions.
How can I decrease chance of cancer and help early detection of skin cancer?
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Avoid sun exposure and use sun screen all the times |
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Patients with atypical moles and family history of skin cancer should avoid excessive sun exposure and use sunscreens. |
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You must know how to “‘self-exam” your entire skin and moles to detect changes in existing moles. |
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You must recognize features of melanomas (ABCDE) and other type of skin cancer. |
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Self yearly whole body moles color photography of the moles for comparison is highly recommended. It makes easier to track the development and changes of your moles (Most useful in patients with many atypical moles). |
Who survives skin cancer?
Survivor depends to type and stage of the cancer. For basal cell or squamous cell cancers, a cure is highly likely if detected and treated early. Melanoma, even though it can spread to other body parts quickly, is also highly curable if detected early and treated properly. The five-year relative survival rate for patients with melanoma is 89%.
What are risk factors for non-Melanoma and Melanoma skin cancers?
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Unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Fair complexion |
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Occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds or radium |
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Family history of melanoma |
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Multiple or atypical moles |
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Severe sunburns as a child |
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