Basal Cell Cancer

The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma.  Affecting more than 800,000 Americans each year it has become the most common of all cancers.  Chronic exposure to sunlight is the cause of almost all basal cell cancers.  Tumors rarely develop on non-exposed areas.  The face, neck bald scalp, shoulders, and back are common areas for these cancers to develop.

Anyone with a history of substantial sun exposure can develop basal cell cancers.  Individuals with fair skin, light hair, and blue, green, or gray eyes are at higher risk.  Dark-skinned people are significantly less likely to develop skin cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma sometimes resembles non-cancerous skin conditions making it imperative for any individual with a concerning skin lesion to seek medical attention.

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Five Warning signs of Basal Cell Cancer include:

  1. A shiny bump or nodule that is often pink, red or white.

  2. A persistent, scaly red patch with irregular borders that sometimes crusts or bleeds.

  3. An open sore that bleeds and crusts that persists for weeks.

  4. A pink growth with a slightly elevated edge with a crusty central indentation.

  5. A scar like area which is white or yellow with an irregular or poorly defined border.

If you notice the development of a skin growth, open sore or lesion that fails to heal, or a change in a preexisting skin growth, contact a qualified healthcare professional immediately.  With an early diagnosis, often, all that is needed is a simple surgical procedure to obtain a cure.