Where does skin cancer occur? While this cancer is the most common form to affect people in the US each year, every case is different. Two different skin cancer patients can be facing cancer in two entirely different locations on their bodies.
Cancerous growths or lesions can occur anywhere on your body, but usually they start on areas of sun-exposed skin. It's not impossible, however, to find skin cancer on parts of you body that have never seen the sun, which is why self-exams are so important. If you diagnosed early, the treatment for skin cancer can be highly successful.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Among the most common locations on the body for basal cell carcinoma are:
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Among the most common locations on the body for squamous cell carcinoma are:
Melanoma
Among the most common locations on the body for malanoma are:
What to Look For
As you check your body, focusing on the most common skin cancer areas, you need to know the early warning signs that could be a cause for concern. Changes of any kind are the biggest thing to focus on. Even if an unusual spot doesn't hurt, that doesn't mean it's OK-many skin cancers are painless.
Look for growths that increase in size and look tan, brown, black, multicolored, translucent or pearly. Previous skin marks like mole or birthmarks that change are a cause for concern, too. Changes in color, size, thickness and texture should be noted as well as a size bigger than a pencil eraser or an irregular outline.
Pay attention to sores. If they take longer than three weeks to heal or continue to scab, erode, bleed, crust, itch or hurt, something could be wrong.
What to Do if You Spot an Abnormality
If you see something that doesn't look right, make an appointment with your doctor right away. When possible, see a dermatologist or physician that specializes in skin diseases. Don't wait to see how the spot changes or wait for it to go away. Remember, if caught early, the successful treatment rate for skin cancer is quite high.
 | Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer there is, but it is also one of the most treatable. There are several things that contribute to the development of skin cancer; by learning how to prevent skin cancer throughout your lifetime, you can significantly reduce your risk of getting the disease. |
 | When skin cancer is diagnoses, details and technical terms can leave a patient or loved one in the dark. The stages of melanoma are defined by the size of the tumor and how far the cancer has spread. |
 | Learn to recognize early signs of skin cancer so you can get it treated early. With more than 1 million new cases each year, skin cancer is the leading form of cancer in the United States. |
Learning how to prevent skin cancer requires accepting the responsibility of taking care of your skin and your health every single day. Whether the sun is shining or hiding behind clouds, paying attention to skin health is crucial. |
What does skin cancer look like? No one wants to spot a potential sign of skin cancer on her body, but it is a good idea to be prepared, just in case. If you see any of these potential skin cancer red flags, it's time to see a doctor. |
