There are three distinct types of skin cancer. They are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.
Of the three types, Malignant melanoma is the most serious type because this type of cancer can spread to other organs in the body (metastasis) and lead to death.
Melanoma is usually pigmented or colored and is more dangerous. Many moles aren't cancerous, but it's vital to be monitored by a physician to keep an eye on them.
As advances in medicine are made, the range of treatment options have proved successful. Current treatment may include surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological therapy, depending on the type of skin cancer. When any type of skin cancer is found early enough, it is much easier to treat. If it is diagnosed late, the treatment is not as effective.
Malignant melanoma is more prevalent in women than men and it is one of the most common cancers in people in the age range of 20 to 35. It affects people who work indoors more than those who work outside.
The non-melanoma skin cancers affect more men than women. It also affects older people, particularly those who have spent considerable time working outdoors. Too much exposure to the sun and getting frequent sunburns in childhood as well as the teenage years can make you more prone to developing it later life.
According to statistics, individuals that are most at risk of developing this disease are people with light or fair skin, freckles, who burn easily in the sun and who already have moles and/or spend too much time in the sun without protection.
Dark skinned individuals rarely get this, but everyone must be careful. There are some rare, inherited skin diseases that can make people highly sensitive to sunlight and therefore much more likely to get any type of skin cancer.
It is not always possible to differentiate between the various skin cancers and benign skin conditions by examination alone. The physician may order a biopsy. Once the biopsy is examined and if it is confirmed as cancer, then the best treatment option available will be implemented to remove it.
Mickey Lieberman is a Computer Consultant with over 30 years of experience working with both IBM mainframes, in various capacities and PC's. My skin cancer was detected early before it spread.
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