Skin Cancer 101: Types, Causes, and Prevention Strategies

At Dermatology Associates, with offices in Indianapolis, Tipton, and Batesville, IN, Dr. Sonya Johnson can diagnose and find treatment options for skin cancer.

Skin cancer is all too prevalent of a concern, with approximately one in five individuals developing it in their lives, as noted by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA). That said, we encourage everyone to know the types, causes, and what they can do to prevent their risk.

Types of Skin Cancer

 The three major varieties of skin cancer include squamous cell, basal cell, and melanoma, with melanoma being the most serious. 

Basal Cell Carcinoma

 This type is the most common (75 percent of all cases) and is often associated with excessive sun exposure.   

When basal cell carcinoma develops, you may experience any of the following:

• A sore that scabs or bleeds and returns after it heals
• A waxy or pearly lump
• A flat, scar-like lesion that won’t heal and is often brown or skin-colored  

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

 Though you’ll most often experience this skin cancer in sun-exposed areas, it could also develop in those not exposed to the sun, especially in people with darker skin.

With this cancer, you may develop either a flat lesion that’s scaly or crusty or a firm, red nodule that won’t heal.

Melanoma  

 Melanoma is the least likely skin cancer at our offices in Indianapolis, Tipton, and Batesville, IN. However, this one is most likely to invade other parts of the body, such as the: 

• Lungs
• Liver
• Bones
• Abdomen
• Brain
• Lymph nodes

 This form of cancer may develop suddenly, or you could have an existing mole that turns cancerous. It often stems from sun exposure.

Warning signs you may have melanoma are as follows:

• A large brown-colored spot with darker speckling
• A lesion with irregular borders that’s either white, blue, blue-black, red, or pink
• An evolving mole that changes in color, texture, or size
• A bleeding mole
• An itchy or burning lesion
• A dark lesion on your nose, mouth, anus, vagina, toes, palms of your hands, or soles of your feet

Preventing Skin Cancer 

 While we treat skin cancer, we urge people to exercise caution and prevent cancer if possible.

Always wearing sunscreen when outside helps, as does wearing a hat, sunglasses, and clothing to cover exposed skin.

Also, you can reduce your risk by minimizing sun exposure between the hours of 10 and four.

If you see suspicious lesions or moles, contact Dermatology Associates. Dr. Johnson can help by accurately diagnosing and providing treatment or a referral. For quality help, reach out to our offices at (317) 257-1484.