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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. There are different types of skin cancer. The two most common – basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas – if caught in time, are curable. The third most common type, melanoma, is more dangerous and more deadly.
Skin cancer is generally caused by unprotected exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light, an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds, and sunlamps. Like other cancers, skin cancer can metastasize (spread to other parts of the body) and cause problems with other organs.
Many people who have skin cancer notice a change in their skin, such as a sore that won’t heal, a growth, or a change in a mole. While not all skin cancers look the same, it’s generally a good idea to keep an eye out for these sorts of changes, and specific to moles, remember the “A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma”:
While people with light skin do carry an increased risk, skin cancer can affect anyone – no matter their skin color, gender or age.
Other risk factors for developing skin cancer include:
Living in a sunny state, Californians are at a higher risk than the national average for developing skin cancer.
Annual skin examinations help ensure early detection, as identifying problem areas before they become cancerous is ideal. If a growth, mole, sore, or skin discoloration appears suddenly, or begins to change, don’t wait for your annual screening, call our office immediately.
Numerous medical and surgical procedures are available to treat cancer identified through a skin biopsy. Dermatologic surgical treatments such as Mohs Surgery can be done on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic. In some cases, radiation and photodynamic therapies and topical chemotherapy products can also be very effective.
For more information on our dermatology services, please call (530) 528-4456 or contact us. Or click here to Find a Doctor.