Skin Cancer,signs and symptoms

        Skin cancer in the skin's basal layer. The basal layer is at the bottom of the skin's outer layer (epidermis). The cancer usually involves the skin of face, ears, and backs of hands, shoulders and arms. Adults over age 40 are most often affected, and men more so than women. It is the most common type of skin cancer.Skin cancer is a preventable disease and the majority of skin cancers are treatable if detected early. Regular checks of your skin should detect any suspicious lumps or spots as soon as they develop. Pay particular attention to your arms, legs, face, neck, back, shoulders and the back of your hands. Prevention involves a combination of five simple steps - sun  protective clothing, hats, SPF 30+ sunscreen, shade and sunglasses.

Frequent signs and symptoms

-A sore that does not heal in 3 weeks. It may bleed, ooze, or have a crust.
-An area or patch of skin that is reddish or irritated. It might have a crust.
-A shiny skinned bump that is pearly looking. The color is usually pink, red, or white. On some people, the color may be tan, black, or brown and look like a mole.
-A skin growth that is pink with a slightly raised, rolled border. The center is crusted and is lower than the border. Tiny blood vessels may be seen, as it grows larger.
-An area that looks like a white or yellow scar. The skin is shiny and looks tight. This type is more rarified.

Causes of skin Cancer

Chronic sun exposure. The ultraviolet light in sunlight damages the skin, and causing the cells to change and grow into skin cancers.

Risk increases with

• Exposure to excess sunlight from work or play.
• People with fair skin and blue eyes.
• Living in an area where there is lots of sunlight

Preventive measures

Limit exposure to sunlight. Protect skin with a hat, clothing, and sunscreen with SPF of 15 or more. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours during sun exposure.
Perform a skin self-exam once a month. Check for new growths or changes in growths already present

Diagnosis and treatment

• Your health care provider will examine the skin growth for any abnormal appearance. All or part of the affected skin tissue may be removed for biopsy. The tissue is viewed under a microscope to see if it is cancerous. Treatment varies with appearance, extent, and location of the skin cancer. The treatment method chosen will often be decided by you and your health care provider together. Options include:
• Curettage and electrodesiccation—local anesthetic applied, then cutting out or shaving of the cancer, followed by high-frequency electrical current to destroy tissue with heat.
• Surgical excision—local anesthetic is applied, then skin is marked for surgery, and a scalpel is used for the excision.
• Moh's surgery—a special type of surgery is used to treat high-risk cancers, especially on the head and face.
• Cryosurgery–use of liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill the cells. A local anesthetic is sometimes used.
• Laser treatment—sometimes used.
• Radiation treatment—used if cancer location requires it, such as locations near lips and eyelids.
• Photodynamic therapy uses drugs and special light.
•  Healthy skin from elsewhere on the body may be used to replace skin removed in surgery (skin graft). Your health care provider will advise you of any follow-up care needed after the procedure.