DANGEROUS SIGNS

 About 2 months ago, I found out that a good friend of mine went to the doctor due to a nagging backache that would not go away: Upon being examined by the physician, she was immediately admitted into the  hospital. As fate would have it, a tumor was found growing on her spine, and they discovered along with it that she had a  melanoma on her back that had grown into a stage 4!

Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. At least 40 percent of all Americans who live to be 65 will be diagnosed with skin cancer at least once in their lives. Fortunately, most skin cancers are not serious and the vast majority can be cured, usually by simple procedures performed in a doctor's office. But this does not mean that skin cancer is something that people do not need to take seriously. If skin cancer is not detected and treated promptly, it can spread. (like my friend's) At the very least, this means that more extensive surgery, leading to greater scarring, will be needed. In the worst case, it can mean serious complications. Some types of skin cancer, especially melanoma, can be fatal.
So, here is some information about the 3 types of skin cancers and what they look like, but also, I encourage EVERYONE to get skin screenings annually. 
Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of the 3 types of skin cancer, and the easiest to treat because it almost never spreads. Basal cell carcinoma is generally characterized by either a waxy bump that can appear on your face or neck, or a brown or flesh-colored mark that looks like a scar on your back or chest. In most cases of basal cell carcinoma, the damaged tissue is removed by either freezing or cutting out the tissue. It is generally done right in the doctor’s office with a local anesthesia, and involves minimal discomfort.

Signs of basal cell carcinoma

1)An open sore that sheds blood, oozes out or crusts, and continues to stay open for three or more weeks. A lasting, non-healing sore is a very usual early manifestation.

2) A reddish patch or an irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms or legs. Sometimes the patch crusts. It may also itch or hurt. At additional times, it persists without any detectable discomfort.

3) A smooth growth with an elevated, rolled border and an indentation in the center. As the growth slowly enlarges, tiny blood vessels may develop on the surface.

4) A shiny bump (or nodule) that is pearly or translucent and is frequently pink, red or white. The bump can also be tan, black or brown, especially in dark-haired people, and can be confused with a mole.

5) A scar-like area (white, yellow, or waxy in appearance) which often has poorly delineated borders. The skin itself seems shiny or taut. Although a less frequent sign, it can indicate the presence of an aggressive tumor.

Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Carcinoma
This is the second most common of the 3 types of skin cancers, and is often as easy to treat as basal cell carcinomas. However, squamous cell skin cancer carcinoma is slightly more likely to spread to other areas, usually to the surrounding tissue of the skin. The squamous cell skin cancer is characterized by a red nodule that can appear on your face, neck, hands or arms. This bump is generally firm to the touch, and can also show up on your lips or ears. It can also look like a scaly, crusty lesion that will appear on the same areas.

 Squamous Cell Skin Cancer signs

1)A persistent, scaly red patch with atypical borders that occasionally crusts or bleeds.

2)An open sore that bleeds and crusts and endures for weeks.

3)An raised growth with a central depression that on occasion bleeds. A growth of this type may rapidly increase in size.

4)A wart-like growth that crusts and occasionally bleeds.

Melanoma
Melanoma is the least common of the types of skin cancer, but it can become the most serious if left untreated. Of the 3 types of skin cancers, this is the one that can spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes and other organs. When it spreads (metastasizes) in this manner, it becomes significantly more difficult to treat. That is why early detection of melanoma symptoms is so important, and why you should get into your doctor every year for regular skin cancer screenings.

Melanoma symptoms sometimes are referred to as ABCDE:

• A is for asymmetrical shape. Look for moles with irregular shapes, such as two very different-looking halves.
• B is for irregular border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders — the characteristics of melanomas.
• C is for changes in color. Look for growths that have many colors or an uneven distribution of color.
• D is for diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger than about 1/4 inch (6 millimeters).
• E is for evolving. Look for changes over time, such as a mole that grows in size or that changes color or shape. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and melanoma symptoms, such as new itchiness or bleeding.