This is the most common type of skin cancer. It most often appears on skin exposed to the sun, such as the face, scalp, neck, hands, and arms, but can appear on any part of the body.
BCC may never metastasize, but they can grow deep and wide, affecting surrounding tissue and structures. This is especially concerning on the face where such alteration can affect the eyes and ears, and be cosmetically difficult to handle.
BCC often grows slowly. It may look like a:
People of all skin colors can get BCC, although it is much more common in light-skinned people. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays damage your skin. Your everyday activities expose you to UV rays, such as going outdoors during the day without sun protection or when you drive your car or sit near your office window. Additionally, tanning beds emit dangerous UV rays and their use is associated with developing BCC and other types of skin cancers.
Your risk of developing skin cancer increases as this damage accumulates. There are some people though who have a higher risk of getting BCC. For example, the risk increases with age. The older you are, the longer you have been exposed to the sun’s UV rays. People also may have a higher risk of developing BCC when they have:
To diagnose BCC, a dermatologist performs a skin biopsy. This is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of skin cancer, including BCC. Your dermatologist can perform a biopsy using local anesthesia during an office visit.
Your dermatologist will biopsy all or a representative sample of the growth depending on its size and location on your body. This tissue will be sent to a pathologist to evaluate under the microscope and determine the diagnosis.
If the diagnosis is BCC, your dermatologist will consider many factors to determine the best treatment for you, including where the BCC appears on your body, the size and features of the BCC, and your overall health.
When detected early and treated properly, the prognosis for BCC is excellent. Treatment cures most BCCs. Treatment for BCC involves having one or more of the following.
There are many effective treatments. A dermatologist selects treatment after considering the following: the type of BCC, where it appears on the body, a patient’s overall health. After considering this, one or a combination of the following treatment options may be recommended.
Yes. Studies show that people who have one skin cancer are at greater risk of developing another skin cancer. Perform regular skin self-examinations, and protect your skin every day. Be sure to keep all appointments with your dermatologist, and make an immediate appointment if you notice anything changing, itching, or bleeding on your skin.
Yes. People of all skin colors can get BCC, although it is much more common in light-skinned people.
No. Never use a tanning bed. UV light from tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product. Remember that even when using one of these products, you need to use sunscreen.
SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.” It is a measure of how well the sunscreen protects you from harmful UV rays from the sun. Sunscreen must be re-applied every two to three hours, even if it has a high SPF number. Adults and children should always wear at least SPF 30.
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