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What Is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the skin's outer layers. The skin has two main layers: epidermis and dermis. The top outer layer of skin is called the epidermis. It contains three kinds of cells:

• flat, scaly cells on the surface called squamous cells
• round cells called basal cells (located under the squamous cells) and
• cells called melanocytes, which give your skin its color (located under the basal cells)

The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that usually appears first as a mole. It is not as common as basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer but it is much more serious.

Skin cancer is most common in people with light colored skin who have been exposed to sunburns and sunlight. It tends to occur in places that have been exposed to more sunlight, such as the face, neck, hands, and arms. Skin cancer may look different on different people.

The most common signs of skin cancer are:

• a change on the skin, such as a growth or a sore that will not heal
• a smooth, shiny and waxy looking lump
• a flat red spot that is rough or scaly or
• a firm red lump

Not all changes in your skin's appearance are cancer. If you have a spot or lump on your skin, your health care provider may remove the growth and have the tissue looked at under a microscope so that a diagnosis can be made.

Treatment may include one of the following:

• topical chemotherapy
• cryosurgery (freezing)
• electrodesiccation and curettage (burning)
• sanding the top layer of skin (dermabrasion)
• shaving the very top layer of skin and
• laser therapy

Any change in a mole needs to be reported as early as possible. Most non-melanoma skin cancers can be cured if treated early. There is a better outcome when the skin cancer is discovered early.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER. Visit their websites at www.cancer.org and www.cancer.gov.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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