by REBEKA PIERCE
When most people think about symptoms of skin cancer, it generally comes down to two simple words: weird moles.
However, if there’s one thing that dermatologists want you to know, it’s that skin cancer can (and often does) manifest itself in countless other ways, some of which are difficult to pick up on especially in the early stages.
Cheryl Campbell is a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse and dermatology advanced practice registered nurse at Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Winter Haven. She says it’s common for people to think only of melanoma when they think about skin cancer, but there are other types, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
“Basal cell [carcinoma] is the most common type of skin cancer,” she says.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, roughly 3.6 million cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed each year, and it accounts for roughly 80 percent of all new skin cancer diagnoses. Campbell says this type of cancer is least likely to metastasize but can be locally invasive.
While perhaps the most widely recognized sign of skin cancer is a mole that changes shape, size, or color, there are plenty of other red flags to be on the lookout for. A spot can be pink and pearly, raised, or well-defined; it can also be ulcerating, crusty, flaky, or scaly, with a rolled border. It can even be a bit translucent. Often, it will have an ulceration in the center.
“It can even be pigmented,” Campbell explains. “It can be brown, blue, or black, which can look like a melanoma but be a pigmented basal cell. [Or it can be] red or scaly or pink, like a superficial scaly pouch.”
The bottom line? “Anything that’s not healing, that is itching, changing shape, size, or color should be evaluated,” Campbell recommends.
In fact, it’s itching that usually prompts people to come in for evaluation.
“Sometimes people will tell you, ‘It’s just a little patch that won’t heal.’ Itching is what brings their attention to it not healing,” she continues.
The best course of action people can take if they are worried about symptoms like those described above is to come in for an evaluation.
“We evaluate clinically because we’re seeing it on a daily basis,” she says. “You can’t always look at one and tell.” In some cases, a skin biopsy may be recommended.
Above all, vigilance is key.
“If the lesion is slow-growing, people think, ‘It’s okay, I’ll check it later.’ [But] we need to be more aware and do monthly skin checks at home. If you notice anything changing, have it evaluated.”