Skin cancer has risen sharply to become the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer; with the statistics currently showing that one in five Caucasian Americans will develop one of the type of skin cancer in their life there has never been a more important point in time to understand the facts and fiction of skin cancer, the types of skin cancer, and the symptoms of skin cancer.

Facts

• Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most prevalent skin cancers with over 95% of diagnosed skin cancers being either basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas.
• Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have incredibly high rates of successful treatment. With early detection, both types of skin cancer are highly curable.
• Melanoma is the third most common of skin cancers and is the most deadly of all types of skin cancer; responsible for more than 70% of deaths resulting from skin cancer. It is vital that melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed and treated as early as possible before it has had the chance to metastasize.
• Women are most likely to discover melanoma skin cancer on their legs; while men are most likely to discover melanoma skin cancers on their upper back

Fiction

• Melanomas result when an existing mole is exposed to the sun – this is definitely fiction! Melanoma skin cancers are likely to develop on unmarked skin and can develop on any part of your body – even on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet.
• A common mole will occasionally itch, bleed, or change color – this is definitely fiction! A mole or a regular freckle should never itch, bleed, or change color; if you have a mole or skin spot that is doing so then it is likely melanoma skin cancer. Seek professional medical treatment immediately.
• Skin cancer pictures are all you need to diagnose a case of melanoma skin cancer – this is fiction! While pictures of skin cancer can certainly help you to identify lesions on your body, it is vital that you seek out medical treatment if you find any skin anomalies that give you cause for concern.

With so much misinformation related to skin cancer and the types of skin cancer, it is important that you become an educated patient so that you can not only identify any potential skin cancer lesions on your body but so that you can get treatment as soon as possible. Early detection and early treatment will make the success of your treatment plan much more likely!