Skin Cancer-the Who, What, Where, When, Why

Not a fun subject I know BUT an important one! I'll try to stick to the basics.

Cancer is like a weed that takes over your garden. The difference between the weed and the pretty flowers that spread all over your garden is that the weed is stronger, grows faster. Let go it will steal the nutrients from the flowers, the flowers will fight but may not be strong enough to fight the weed.
In the body, cancer begins when cells in a certain part start to grow out of control. When DNA in a cell is damaged normally the cell repairs itself. When it can't, it dies. With a cancer cell, the DNA is not repaired but the cell does not die. Instead it keeps reproducing new cells all with the same damaged DNA. These abnormal cells grow out of control and can invade other tissues which is what makes them a cancer cell vs. a normal cell.

The 3 Main Types:
Melanoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma

According to the American Cancer Society, "Cancer of the skin is the most common of cancers, probably accounting for at least half of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths."
Some estimates: About 68,720 new melanomas will be diagnosed in the U.S. during 2009. Deaths - 8,650
Melanoma begins in melanocytes, the pigment making cells. It is more than 10 times more common in whites than in African Americans; slightly more common in men than women.

Basal cell cancer begins in the lowest layer of the epidermis. Usually beginning on areas exposed to the sun (such as the head and neck), basal cell tends to grow slowly. Very rarely does it spread to other areas but if left untreated, it can grow into nearby areas and into the bone or other tissues beneath the skin. American Cancer Society says, "about 8 out of 10 skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma". Once mostly found in older people, occurances are rising in younger people.

Accounting for 2 out of 10 skin cancers, squamous cell cancer begins in the upper part of the epidermis. Like other skin cancers, it usually begins in areas exposed most often to the sun but can also show up within scars or skin ulcers. Squamous cell is most likely to spread into fatty tissue just beneath the skin and into lymph nodes and distant parts of the body. This is uncommon, though.


Melanoma shows up in the form of moles. Keep an eye on freckles, moles and other marks on your body. Any changes should be noted and checked by a doctor. That means if its size, shape or color changes a melanoma could be starting and it's best to see a doctor.

Basal Cell Carcinoma tends to appear translucent, have an irregular border and tiny blood vessels running through them.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is an irregular, crusted, red papule (meaning is it red like the beginning of a pimple but with no head, no pus).

You've all seen the ABCD rule. It's meant to help us recognize when something is just not right.

A - Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
B - Border Irregularity: The edges are irregular or not smooth; may look ragged, blurred, or notched.
C - Color: Color is not the same all over. May be shades of tan, brown, or black and sometimes patches of pink, red, blue or white.
D - Diameter: Mole is larger than about 1/4 inch. Sometimes melanomas can be smaller.

Let me mention...
Actinic Keratosis - a pre-cancerous growths caused by too much time in the sun. They are small, rough spots that may be pink-red or flesh colored; flat or raised and irregular in shape and border. Actinic Keratosis is slow growing and usually just a sign that your skin has been damaged by the sun. Best to have it checked and removed.

Risk Factors. The following are risk factors for skin cancer. It doesn't mean you will get skin cancer from these, but they are linked to skin cancer.

UV Light: Overexposure may be the biggest risk factor. We are exposed to UV light from the sun and tanning beds. And it really depends on the amount of time exposed, the strength of the radiation, clothing, time of day, where you live, your skin type...

Moles: Moles are benign skin tumors. Certain types will increase a person's chance of getting melanoma and having many moles raises the chance.

Fair Skin: White people are more likely to get skin cancer than dark-skinned African Americans because the melanin in their skin raises their natural defense system.

Family history and your own past history of melanoma increases your risk. Best to be very careful about sun exposure if you have a family history.

Weakened immune systems- Medicines that suppress your fighting machine increase your risk of getting melanoma.

Age - While melanoma is one cancer that seems to play no favorites in this category, older people are more likely to get melanoma. Basal cell and squamous are more commonly found in older people because of all the exposure to the sun they have experienced. But more cases are being found in younger people.

Gender - Sorry guys...you have a higher risk rate of skin cancer than women.

Smoking - a risk factor for squamous cell but not for basal cell.


Skin cancer can be treated if caught early enough. There are many options for treatment. Let's all be safe and just protect our skin. When you see the weed growing you pull it, right? Take care of your skin like you do your garden (in spring ;) ). I'll go over sun safety tips next time.

If all this info isn't enough, I suggest you click on the linked words above and check out the pictures. Yes, I picked those sites on purpose. That should make you jump out of the tanning bed when it suddenly pops into your head. :)

Stick with me. Next time: Sun Safety. As summer turns to fall, this does not mean we should stop wearing our sunscreen.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Abby