Many people are familiar with the rarest and deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. However, there are actually 5 different types of skin cancer that you should be aware of: melanoma, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and merkel cell carcinoma.
Melanoma
Melanoma is one of the most widely recognized forms of skin cancer. It is also the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma presents itself through the moles on your body. Melanoma presents itself via moles whose appearance has changed over time. If you have a lot of moles on your body, documenting where they are with a camera can be a great way to spot changes over time, such as the color, border, and diameter changing over time.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis is a result of too much time in the sun. When you develop actinic keratosis, it presents itself through rough, red lesions on your skin. The most common places they show up is around your face and arms, the two parts of your body that are exposed to the sun the most. However, actinic keratosis can appear anywhere on your body.
If not treated, actinic keratosis can develop into squamous cell skin cancer. If you have any lesions on your body that are itchy or painful, be sure to get them checked out at a skin cancer center like Center Of Dermatology PC.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is actually the type of skin cancer that occurs the most often, and is one of the most common forms of all cancers. The good news is that it is easy to treat because it grows at a very slow rate as long as you don't ignore the signs.
Basal cell carcinoma at first may look like either a pimple or a blemish that just doesn't heal. They have a pearly or shiny look at them. Over time, unlike a pimple or a blemish, basal cell carcinoma starts to develop scabs or scores. The area may also bleed easily and continue to increase in size over time.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is usually easy to treat when it is spotted early. Similar to basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma looks like a pink or red flat or nodular patch. The patches are not shiny like basal cell carcinoma, but they may bleed and also be itchy and painful at the same time.
Markel Cell Carcinoma
Market cell carcinoma can be really dangerous because it can spread really quickly. It looks like a small, painless spot on your body at first. They have a firm feeling to them like a blemish; however, unlike a blemish, they will continue to grow in diameter and height. If you spot a blemish that just keeps growing, get it checked out.
Keep in mind that funny looking moles are not the only sign of skin cancer. Any spot an your body that doesn't disappear within a few days and seems out of place should be inspected by a dermatologist right away.
About a year ago, I started thinking about different ways that I could make myself stand out to employers. I started taking a careful inventory of what I was doing and what I needed to do, and I turned to a friend of mine who happens to love beauty and fashion. She talked with me about skin care and updating my wardrobe, and I was really happy with everything she showed me. Within a few weeks, I felt like a brand new person, and it was really obvious to see how much better things became. I wanted to start a new website all about creating a better life for yourself, so I made this blog.