Skin cancer is the leading cause of cancer in the United States with 1 in 5 Americans developing skin cancer by the age of 70.
Skin cancer can be divided into two large categories: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
Non-melanoma skin cancers include cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.
Over 90 percent of skin cancers are associated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and even as few as five blistering sunburns can increase your risks of developing melanoma.
More than 5400 people worldwide die of non-melanoma skin cancer every month.
Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent.
What does non-melanoma skin cancer look like?
Most often it’s red, scaly, pink or may be an ulcer and bleed easily. Other “pimple-like” lesions that persists for longer without resolving should be evaluated.
Having trouble deciding if a lesion is concerning?
Please see board certified dermatologist, Dr. Breedlove, for evaluation and treatment.