About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Skin cancer represents ~80% of all cancers in the United States.
The three most common skin cancers include:
- Basal cell carcinomas – This is the most common type of skin cancer but fortunately, also the least aggressive. Almost all cases of basal cell carcinomas are non-fatal, but they can cause disfigurement and tissue destruction if left untreated. Around two million Americans each year are diagnosed, and the average age of diagnosis is around 68. Risk factors for developing basal cell carcinomas include fair skin, intermittent and intense sun exposure, radiation exposure, and immunosuppression.
- Squamous cell carcinomas – This type of skin cancer is not as dangerous as a melanoma but may spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. It is the second most common type of skin cancer and typically presents later in life. It may grow from its precursor, called an “actinic keratosis.” Risk factors for developing squamous cell carcinomas include fair skin, chronic sun exposure, immunosuppression, chronic non-healing ulcers and scars, and organ transplantation.
- Melanoma – This is the most aggressive and dangerous of the three, and can quickly spread and become life-threatening if not caught early and treated. It is important to monitor for the “ABCDEs of melanoma,” which include:
A: Asymmetry (one half of the mole does not mirror the other half)
B: Border (The borders are irregular or indistinct)
C: Color (The color is not uniform or there are multiple different shades/hues)
D: Diameter (the mole is >6mm in diameter)
E: Evolution (The lesion is changing or growing)
Risk factors for melanoma include fair skin, UV exposure, immunosuppression, and certain genetics, amongst others.