What is skin cancer?
There are three main types of skin cancer, (in order of most aggressive)
-Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
-Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer, this type is curable only if detected early. Melanoma is formed from pigment cells called melanocytes.
It can develop as a new mole or within an existing mole and it can occur anywhere on the body, not necessarily on sun- exposed areas. Melanoma usually starts as a skin lesion, but occasionally it occurs in other parts of the body, such as the eye, brain, mouth, or genitals.
250 New Zealanders die from Melanoma each year. One in fifteen white skinned New Zealanders are expected to develop Melanoma in their lifetime.
A suspicious lesion will be removed and sent to a laboratory to be checked, and almost always, melanoma are treated via surgery.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) Looks like crusty non-healing sores (can be tender). They generally start as small patches, sometimes as actinic keratoses.
SCC is found most often on sun-exposed parts of the skin, e.g. face, ears, shoulders, arms, backs and legs etc.
Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the Keratinocytes of the epidermis (the cells that produce the outer layer of the skin).
This type of non melanoma skin cancers is most common in people over 40 years old and is the second most common type of skin cancer.
Treatment is usually straight forward, typically surgical.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with Squamous cell carcinoma are the most common skin cancers.
Together they are called non melanoma skin cancers (NMSC).
BCC is the most common and least aggressive form of skin cancer.
A BCC develops within the basal layer of the epidermis.
Flesh coloured, firm and pearly nodules is how they typically first appear.
Often on the face, shoulder, or upper back, some can even look like a non-healing sore.
The danger from a BCC is its potential to travel deeper into the skin and underlying tissue over the course of many years.
Treatment – Usually straight forward. Topical treatment via freezing off the lesion, radiotherapy or surgery can be involved.
What to look for with a mole-
B- Border (Irregular)
C- Colour (Irregular)
D- Diameter greater then 6mm
E- Evolving (enlarging or changing)
Glasgow seven point checklist
Change in size
Change in shape
Change in colour
Diameter greater then 6mm
Oozing or bleeding
Itch or altered sensation
A spot or sore that fails to heal within three weeks
You should always consult your doctor about any lump or sore that sits the description of the above, especially if they fail to heal over weeks or months.