Three Types of Skin Cancer Affecting the US
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Basal Cell Carcinoma This tumor
usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule on the
head, neck and hands. It has been found that the people who
have this cancer frequently have light hair and complexions,
and they don't tan easily. These tumors don't spread quickly.
Untreated, the cancer will begin to bleed, crust over, then
repeat the cycle. Although this type of cancer rarely spreads
to the rest of the body, it can extend below the skin to
the bone and cause considerable local damage. |
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma These
tumors may appear as nodules or as red, scaly patches. Squamous
cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer found
in Caucasians. It typically is found on the rim of the ear,
the face, the lips, and the mouth. This cancer will develop
into large masses. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, squamous
cell carcinoma can spread to the rest of the body. It is
estimated that there are 2,300 deaths from non-melanoma skin
cancers every year. The cure rate for both basal cell and
squamous cell carcinoma is 95 percent when properly treated. |
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Malignant Melanoma It is projected
that this most virulent of all skin cancers develops on the
skin of 32,000 Americans annually. And every year, an estimated
6,800 Americans will die from melanoma. Melanoma, unlike
its less aggressive cancers, appears in mixed shades of tan,
brown and black and have a tendency to spread. |
| Photos and information courtesy
of the National Farm Medicine Center Staff |
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