Skin Cancer

Approximately one in five people will develop skin cancer. This common disease can be deadly, but when detected early, it has a 98% cure rate. Simply removing the cancerous tissue can usually cure it. 

Skin Cancer Causes

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer, but it can also be the result of genetics or radiation treatments. 

Skin Cancer Signs

• Change in color, size, shape or texture of a mole
• Flat, flesh-colored lesion appearing anywhere on the body
• Flat lesion with scaly surface
• Growth of an existing skin lesion
• Hard, dome-shaped bumps anywhere on your body
• Hard, red nodule on face, lips, ears, neck, hands, arms
• Large brown spot with darker speckles
• Shiny bump that is pearly or translucent
• Skin lesion with irregular borders

The only way to know for sure if a mole or spot on your skin is cancer is to have your doctor look at it. Get screened regularly by your primary care doctor or a dermatologist, and contact your doctor promptly if you notice any of these signs. 

Risk Factors

• Fair skin
• Family history of skin cancer
• Frequent sun exposure
• History of sunburn and skin cancer
• HIV-positive diagnosis increases risk for Kaposi's sarcoma
• Large dark-colored birthmark (congenital melanocytic nevus)
• Many moles
• Over age 40
• Pre-cancerous skin lesions
• Radiation therapy