As with all types of cancer, regular skin checks should be performed for early diagnosis of skin cancer. It is vital to perform a self-skin examination, monitor existing moles and blemishes, and consult a dermatologist if any changes are noticed. Skin cancer is a very common and serious health problem, but it can be prevented and treated with early diagnosis and preventive measures.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs as a result of abnormal and uncontrolled growth of skin cells. It usually occurs on skin areas exposed to the sun and there are three main types:
- basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- malignant melanoma
While basal and squamous cell carcinomas are generally less dangerous and can be treated with early diagnosis, malignant melanoma is more aggressive and can spread rapidly and be fatal. Sun protection and regular skin checks are important in preventing skin cancer.
What are the symptoms of skin cancer?
Skin cancer symptoms may vary depending on the type and stage of the cancer. Symptoms of skin cancer include:
- Any change in the size, shape or color of a mole may be a sign of skin cancer.
- Itchy or painful moles can also be a sign of skin cancer.
- Bleeding from moles is a sign of skin cancer.
- Raised, small, brown, blue or red lesions
- Crusted and bleeding lesions
- Red or brown spots
- wounds that do not heal
- Skin peeling, flaking
- Deep bleeding in the skin
- Swelling or blistering on the mole
How is skin cancer treated?
Skin cancer treatment varies depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and the patient’s overall health. There are basically 5 treatment methods: surgical intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies:
- Surgical intervention is the most basic method. It is the surgical removal of the tumor lesion. Sometimes biopsy alone can eliminate tumor tissue.
- With radiotherapy, cancer cells are killed using high-energy rays. It is generally used after surgery or in advanced stage cancers.
- With chemotherapy, cancer cells are killed by giving medication to the whole body. It is used in the treatment of advanced stage melanoma.
- Immunotherapy enables the immune system to fight cancer, allowing tumors to shrink or disappear.
- Targeted therapies use drugs that block molecular targets that enable cancer cells to grow and multiply.