Squamous cell cancer; Basal cell cancer; Actinic keratosis, they all mean the same thing…skin cancer! Survival rates have been improving, however, and the increase in melanomas signs of skin cancer has occurred principally with thin, less aggressive forms of the disease. Some experts believe this is due to the increased awareness from effective public programs and earlier diagnosis. While exposure to sunlight is the number one preventable cause of melanoma, it is not the only cause. People at high risk include those with multiple moles, large moles or atypical moles.
Adolescents are at special risk for sun-related cancers. The majority fail to take protective measures when out in the sun. Boys are less likely to use sunscreen than girls, but girls have more likely to get sunburn and use tanning salons more often. Basal cell skin cancers usually occur on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. Once a suspicious lesion is found, a biopsy is needed to prove the diagnosis. Treatment skin care varies depending on the size, depth, and location of the cancer. Early treatment by a dermatologist may result in a cure rate of more than 95%.
