What Are the Signs of Skin Cancer?

One out of every five Americans gets skin cancer before age 70. While it often occurs on areas exposed to the sun, it may also appear on the palms of your hands, fingernails, and other unexpected places. That’s why it’s so important to learn the early warning signs.

Joshua M. Berlin, MD, and our team offer state-of-the-art treatments for skin cancer and other medical and cosmetic dermatological conditions at Premier Dermatology Partners® in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Common types of skin cancer

Dr. Berlin treats skin cancer in various ways. Three of the most common types of skin cancer include:

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma may resemble a semi-transparent bump, a raised, itchy, red patch, an open sore that doesn’t heal, or a pink bump with raised edges and a lower center. It’s usually caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. On darker skin, it may appear glossy brown with a distinct border.

Melanoma

The most significant signs of melanoma are a mole that changes shape and/or size with an irregular border and color variations.

Squamous cell

This skin cancer is the most easily treated. It shows up on your ears, lips, and other sun-exposed areas. Its appearance may resemble:

• Raised growths or lumps
• Wart-like growths
• Rough or scaly red patches that crust over or bleed

Dr. Berlin employs a variety of methods to eradicate skin cancer, including cryosurgery to freeze and remove the lesions and curettage to scrape away the tumor. He then cauterizes the area to remove any remaining cancer cells.

Other signs of skin cancer

Skin cancer begins when cancer cells grow on your skin. They eventually invade healthy tissues and may spread to other regions of your body. It’s most treatable when caught early.

Dr. Berlin recommends you look for signs, such as:

• A sore that doesn’t heal
• New growths resembling a bump, scab, or mole
• A mole or freckle that bleeds, oozes, or changes shape or color
• Itchy skin or pain surrounding a growth

The face, lips, ears, scalp, legs, and back are common areas where skin cancer can occur. It may also appear on your hands and toenails.

Lower your risk

While it’s crucial to catch skin cancer as soon as possible, before it spreads, it’s even better to avoid it in the first place. Dr. Berlin suggests sun safety policies, including:

• Wear wrap-around sunglasses to block destructive UVA and UVB rays
• Cover your arms and legs
• Shade your face and neck with a wide-brimmed hat  
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

The doctor also recommends avoiding indoor tanning salons and sunlamps.

Skin cancer in the Sunshine State

With its abundance of sunny days, Florida ranks second in the nation for melanoma. Be aware that UV damage can occur after only 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, even on cloudy days. If you’re taking antibiotics or other medication, you may be even more susceptible to UV rays.

Skin cancer remains one of the few cancers you can see. That’s why we recommend frequent self-examination, along with sunscreen, shade, and sunglasses. If you notice any signs of skin cancer or other dermatological issues, schedule a consultation with Dr. Berlin and our expert team today.