Despite everything we know about the importance ofwearing SPF,skin cancerstill remains a potentially deadly yet preventable risk.
No matter whatcolor your skinis or age you might be, this disease doesn’t discriminate.
Also vital: the ability to find references and care that are inclusive of all skin tones.
Courtesy of Skin Cancer Foundation
Vaseline’sSee My Skinplatform is a representation-minded database created specifically to help people search conditions on skin of color.
So, what exactly doesskin cancerlook like, especially on a diverse set of skin tones?
Read on to learn more about how different types of skin cancer look on the body.
advanced basal carcinoma
What are the most common types of skin cancer?
When it comes to skin cancer, you’ll often hear dermatologists talk about “the big three.”
It estimates3.6 million casesare diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
superficial basal cell carcinoma
“Basal cells can look lots of different ways,” says Dr. McNeill.
Most commonly, they’ll look like little red patches or open sores.
“It’s probably not a pimple if it hasn’t gone away after a month.”
Courtesy of Skin Cancer Foundation
“I have a lot of women that get them on the chest,” she adds.
As far as cancer treatments go, basal cell carcinoma is a relative cinch.
While basal cell carcinoma is highly treatable, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it seriously.
“Chances are you are going to get another one, and we want to catch it early.”
Squamous cell carcinomas can look similar to their more common cousins a red sore with a raised border.
But more commonly, they appear as red, scaly patches or open sores that crust and bleed.
Courtesy of Skin Cancer Foundation
They can also looklike a wart, Dr. McNeill adds.
These raised bumps tend to crust and bleed too, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
“Just like basal cells, squamous cell carcinomas are the result ofUV exposure,” says Dr. McNeill.
Technically, squamous cell carcinomas are most common in people who are older with light skin.
Researchers chalk up the rise, at least in part, to the increased rates ofindoor tanning.
Luckily, squamous cell carcinomas are treated fairly easily with the same methods used to treat basal cell.
Courtesy of Skin Cancer Foundation
“It’s critical to educate yourself about melanomas,“Julie Karen, a board-certified dermatologist, tellsAllure.
“What differentiates melanomas from benign moles is called the ABCDEs of melanoma,” she explains.
Amelanotic melanomas in particular are super hard to spot even for trained dermatologists.
Courtesy of Skin Cancer Foundation
That’s why getting regular skin checks is so important.
“There are some melanomas that present very deep, very quickly,” she says.
Another thing that makes melanomas scary?
They’re good at hiding in hard-to-see places like your scalp.
“Be aware of that when you do a self-exam.”
“Know your family history.
Though melanomas are very serious, she stresses they are by no means a death sentence.
“If a melanoma is caught early, it has a very high cure rate.
It’s really when melanomas are not caught early that they become deadly,” she says.
As a more aggressive cancer, melanomas require more aggressive treatment.
When that’s the case, oncologists get involved to help treat the spread of the cancer.
What are the warning signs of other types of skin cancer?
While it’s pretty uncommon about 40 times rarer than melanoma Dr. Day says it’s deadlier.
This jot down of cancer is incredibly hard to spot, which explains why it’s so deadly.
Merkel cell carcinomas typically don’t occur in people under 50, but recent data suggests that could change.
“Certain metastatic cancers can show up in the skin,” says Dr. Day.
How can I reduce my risk of skin cancer?
Factors like genetics can influence your risk of getting skin cancer, but the number-one culprit is stillthe sun.
Naturally, the biggest thing it’s possible for you to do is use thebest sunscreensavailable all the time.
“You really have to wear sunscreen every single day,” Dr. Karen says.
As much as we love our SPF, Dr. Karen stresses sunscreen alone isn’t enough.
Be sure to keep up with yearlyskin checks.
And in the meantime, don’t be afraid to see your derm about something that looks weird.
Finally, the experts stress the importance of seeing a board-certified dermatologist not just any doctor for suspicious spots.
Other doctors might not have as much experience in spotting something worrisome especially therarer types of skin cancer.
