What is Cancer?
Cancer develops when cells in the body divide uncontrollably and damage healthy cells and body tissue. The disease casuses the cells to be damaged, making the body not be able to respond the same.
...So What Is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells. If it is left unchecked by a medical professional, more preferably a doctor, the cancer may spread onto other organs and tissues, like the lymph nodes and even to the bone. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it is the most common cancer in the United States. It affects one in five Americans during their lifetimes.
Types of Skin Cancer
- Basal Cell Cancer
- A type of skin cancer that starts in the basal cells
- Very common
- Lab tests or imaging is usually required
- Basal cells make new skin cells as old ones die
- Melanoma
- The most serious and fatal form of skin cancer
- Common
- Lab tests or imaging is usually required
- Occurs when the pigment-producing cells that give color to the skin become cancerous
- Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma
- A form of skin cancer that develops in the cells of the outer layer of the skin
- Very common
- Lab tests or imaging is usually required
- Can be resolved within months- it is treatable