Skin Cancer (nonmelanoma)
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. More than 1 million people are diagnosed with the disease each year. But it is also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers. Very few people die from the disease.
About Skin Cancer
Nonmelanoma is the most common type of skin cancer. The two main types of nonmelanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Melanoma is a less common type of skin cancer that begins in the cells that make pigment (melanocytes).
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma forms in basal cells, small, round cells found in the bottom layer of the epidermis. Nearly 90 percent of skin cancers begin in the basal cells.
Basal cell carcinoma is slow-growing and rarely spreads. However, if left untreated, it can cause significant damage to skin and bone. If you have one basal cell cancer, you have an increased risk for developing another basal cell cancer within five years.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This less common type of skin cancer begins in the squamous cells that form the surface of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to spread than basal cell carcinoma.
Who’s at Risk?
The risk of developing skin cancer is increased by exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and artificial sources of UV rays, such as sunlamps and tanning booths.
Some genetic conditions that increase your risk of developing skin cancer include Gorlin syndrome, Bazex syndrome, and xeroderma pigmentosum.
According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly half of people in the U.S. who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer. Anyone can get the disease, but it is most common in people who have fair skin that freckles easily. These people often have red or blond hair and light-colored eyes.
People who live in areas of the U.S. where the sun is strong—such as Texas, Arizona or Florida—are also more likely to develop skin cancer.
Skin cancer is diagnosed mostly in people after the age of 50, but the damage starts much earlier. Protection from UV radiation should begin at a very young age and continue through adulthood. Studies show UV damage is cumulative, so the more time you are exposed to UV rays, the greater your chance of developing skin cancer.
Prevention
Experts recommend taking the following precautions to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer:
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (peak UV radiation).
- Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Reapply frequently.
- Cover yourself with protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses.
- Don’t use tanning beds or sunlamps.
Some information on this page is provided by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.