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The subject of skin cancer has once again reared its ugly head into my life. I have had it several times but thank God not melanoma , though there seems to be a question about that.

I had a red spot just above my right eyebrow that was not clearing up. Since I have come to recognize the signs I called and made an appointment with a dermatologist. She said she didn't think it was cancer but with my history she would do a biopsy. She also told me to make an appointment for the next week to have her check all over for skin cancer.

What I had was Actinic keratosis which she said would have turned into cancer. She also said that I was to come back in two months for her to see how it looks and so she could be sure that she had removed it all.

Tanning-beds or sunbeds are very dangerous and there is a 75% higher risk of developing malignant melanoma for those who begin using them when they are under the age of 35.

A study revealed that some of the UV rays that are radiated from sunbeds can have up to 15 times the intensity of the midday sun.

According to a dermatologist there is more skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Dr. Joyce Thomas, a cosmetic dermatologist said,

"There are over one million incidents of skin cancer a year."

Thomas's advice as well as every dermatologist that I have ever been to is to apply a sun block every day, summer and winter. My facial moisturizer has a sunblock in it.

She said, "

It is far better to use a daily sunscreen than to just use it when you are at the beach or laying out."

There is another type of skin cancer that is even deadlier than melanoma but it has been so rare that few doctors recognize it, or know how to treat it. The cancer is called Merkel cell carcinoma and is just now beginning to be studied.

It is more aggressive than melanoma and needs to be treated differently. It was only recognized about 15 years ago. But diagnoses have tripled in about a year to 1,500.

The first sign of the cancer is a painless bump. It is often reddish to purple and looks like a
a benign cyst. Even a dermatologist is not sure if they need to do a biopsy. The big danger of Merkel cell carcinoma is how rapidly it will spread once the bump appears. A third of those who get it die three years.

There three other types of skin cancer.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

These are usually found in places on the body that have been exposed to the sun. Such as the ears, face and the mouth.


The symptoms for this type of cancer are a bump that turns into an open sore an ulceration, reddish, flat spot that is sometimes crusty, a bump that gets larger and a sore that won't heal

If it is not treated it can quickly spread to other parts of the body such as the lymphatic system, bloodstream, and nerve routes.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

This is the most common skin cancer as about 75% of skin cancer that are diagnosed is this kind.

These are found mostly on the face, neck, and hands.

It is highly treatable and rarely will spread to other parts of the body.

The symptoms include a sore that oozes or bleeds, a redness area that is irritated, a yellow or white area that resembles a scar, and a pink pearly bump

Melanoma

Melanoma is now the second most dangerous and deadly type of cancer there is. It can develop on any part of the body. The arms, legs and trunk of the body are the most common areas of the body where it is found. If it is detected early, it is considered highly treatable.

The symptoms for this type of cancer include a mole, freckle, or new/existing spot that changes color in size, shape, and color. It may have an irregular outline and possible be more than one color.

The best way to prevent getting skin cancer is to avoid being in the sun as much as possible and avoid tanning-beds.

When you are outside wear a sunblock and stay in the shade if possible.

Mothers put a sunblock on your children whenever they will be going outside. Winter or summer. My sunblock says to apply 30 minutes before sun exposure and to reapply after prolonged swimming, excessive perspiration or toweling.