Getting to Know Skin Cancers
Getting to Know Skin Cancers
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia.Commonly known skin cancers:
1) Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
- a. Commonly appears as a repeatedly bleeding spot, a sore that does not heal, an unusual scar, or a persistent pink patch/lump.
- b. Superficial & Nodular subtypes are usually less invasive and might sometimes be amenable to topical chemotherapy treatment or photodynamic therapy, instead of surgery.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
2) Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
- a. Usually arises from pre-existing pre-cancerous scaly lesions, called solar keratosis.
- b. SCC can at times grow quite aggressively
- c. Commonly appears as a scaly pink patch which is sometimes raised and/or painful.
- d. SCC in-situ and Bowen’s disease subtypes might at times be suitably treated with topical chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy, instead of surgery.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
3) Melanoma
- a. Least common of the three but most serious
- b. Learn to spot the concerning features of suggestive of a melanoma, conveniently known as ABCDEFG:
- A - Asymmetry
- B - Borders that are irregular
- C - Colours more than one
- D - Diameter over 5mm
- E – Evolving
- FG – Fast Growing (and Elevated)
Melanoma
