Is the strange red spot on your nose a benign mole or something more?
Check this guide to basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
The truth: There’s no such thing as a healthy tan.Seriously.
Photo: Photoboyko/Getty
A family history of skin cancer will also increase your risk.
Prevention, such as wearing SPF daily, is step one.
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is categorized as melanoma and non-melanoma.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinomasare most common on the head and neck.
While the most frequently occurring bang out of skin cancer, they rarely spread beyond the original site.
National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Basal cell carcinomas are usually surgically removed and require no additional treatment, says Dr. King.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinomais the second most common form of skin cancer.
While not the most common, melanoma is the most dangerous pop in of skin cancer.
Melanomas generally appear as dark lesions with irregular borders, adds Dr. Crutchfield.
Decoding doctor-speak, a lesion is any abnormal change in skin tissue, such as a mole.
The ABCDEs of moles will teach you how to spot skin cancer the ugly ducks, if you will.
Diameter:A mole should be no larger than 6mm.
A mole larger than 6mm, or one that grows, should be checked by a derm.
In addition to a head-to-toe exam, they can also take photos of any suspicious moles.
(Don’t miss forgotten spots such as your scalp, between your toes, and nail beds).
Get a friend or partner to do a check of hard-to-see places such as your back.
