Skin cancer or skin neoplasm as a group represents skin growths of many causes. There are three most common skin cancer types:

  • Basal cell cancer
  • Squamous cell cancer
  • Melanoma

Skin cancer is usually visible because it develops in epidermis. This also makes this skin disorder detectable in early stages. Skin cancer facts – it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, but it’s not fatal. A very small percent of people afflicted with skin cancer actually die of it.

This article will talk about general skin cancer facts and statistics. There are many other articles that go in more details about specific topic, so feel free to brows through the list bellow and click on a topic you’re interested in:

skin cancer symptoms

signs of skin cancer

skin cancer causes

skin cancer types

basal skin cancer

melanoma skin cancer

squamous cell skin cancer

skin cancer treatment

prevent skin cancer

skin cancer moles

skin cancer of face

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There are many signs and symptoms of skin cancer which makes it pretty easy to recognize which type of skin cancer does a person suffer from. Generally, any change in the skin that prevents it from healing, ulcering, discolored skin and mole transformation (for example jagged edges or rapid enlargement) are potential or clear signs of skin cancer.

There are also some particular symptoms for each skin cancer type:

  • Melanomas –mostly brown and black lesions, sometimes fleshy, pink or red. Changes in elevation, size, color and shape are pretty clear signs of melanoma. Any pain, ulceration or itching of the mole are pretty clear signs of this skin disorder.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma – second most common skin cancer, pretty dangerous (although not as melanoma). Characterized by thickened, scaling, red patch on sun-exposed skin. Bleeding may occur as well as ulceration.
  • Basal cell carcinoma – smooth, raised bump on sun-exposed skin, usually on the shoulders, neck and head. Bleeding and crusting in the center of tumor is frequent.

Skin cancer facts about causes and prevention:

Smoking tobacco and tobacco related products can cause skin cancer. In fact, it can double the risk of skin cancer, so try to avoid it or at least minimize it.

Overexposure to UV-radiation is perhaps the most common cause of skin cancer. People often forget how dangerous sun radiation can be. Avoid being exposed to sun for longer periods between 12am to 5pm.

Deficiencies in some minerals and vitamins can lead to skin cancer. Try to supplement your diet with vitamin D and C. Also note, there have been some studies stating that large doses of vitamin A can increase the risk of skin cancer.

Chronic non healing wounds like burns can sometimes develop into squamous cell carcinoma. HPV can also lead to same results.

Genetical predisposition is also one of the most common causes of skin cancer, it is very hard to affect this, but person can always try to avoid other factors that can lead to this skin disorder.