What is skin cancer?
— Skin cancer happens when normal cells in the skin change into abnormal cells. There are 2 main types of skin cancer: melanoma and non-melanoma. Non-melanoma skin cancer can occur anywhere on the skin, but is often on the head, face, neck, back of the hands, arms, and legs. This is because those body parts are mostly exposed to the sun’s rays.
Skin cancer is often caused by sun exposure and sunburn. In fact, the damaging effects of the sun build up over time. The more you are exposed to the sun (or to tanning beds) in your life, the higher your risk of skin cancer.
The 2 most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are called “basal cell carcinoma” and “squamous cell carcinoma.” Most forms of non-melanoma skin cancer can be easily treated because they grow slowly. But if not treated, some non-melanoma skin cancers can become large or spread inside the body.
How common is skin cancer in Nigeria?
In Africa, several studies reveal a preponderance of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Studies in Nigeria have documented that malignant skin cancers (SCCs) constituted 7% to 20% of all malignancies. However, there is a worldwide increase in the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality rate of skin cancer.
Skin cancer on Black skin is uncommon, yet it occurs in skin-bleaching women or men.
What are the symptoms of non-melanoma skin cancer? — Skin cancer looks like an abnormal area of skin and can be:
8Pink
8Red and swollen
8Peeling
8Bleeding or look like an open sore
8Thick or crusty
Other skin changes due to sun damage can also occur. Some people, especially those with fair skin, can get scaly, rough, or bumpy spots called “actinic keratoses.” Actinic keratoses are often found on the face, ears, arms, or scalp. They can sometimes turn into skin cancer. Doctors often treat actinic keratoses to decrease the chance that this will happen.
Skin changes can also be caused by conditions that are not cancer. But you should show your doctor or nurse any skin changes you think might be abnormal.
Is there a test for skin cancer? — Yes. Your doctor or nurse will do an exam and check the skin all over your body. If he or she suspects you have skin cancer, you will have a follow-up test called a biopsy. During a biopsy, a doctor will take a small sample of the abnormal area or remove the whole abnormal area. Then another doctor will look at the skin cells under a microscope to check for cancer.
If your doctor suspects that your skin cancer has spread inside your body, you will have other follow-up tests. These can include a biopsy from tissue inside your body, or imaging tests. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body and can show abnormal growths.
The right treatment for you will depend a lot on the type of skin cancer you have, and its size and location. It will also depend on your age and other health problems.
How is non-melanoma skin cancer treated? — Most people with non-melanoma skin cancer have one or more of the following treatments:
8Surgery – Skin cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove or destroy the cancer. Doctors can do different types of surgery to treat skin cancer.
8Radiation therapy – Radiation kills cancer cells.
8Skin creams – Your doctor might prescribe a strong cream for you to put on your skin cancer. The medicines in these creams can kill cancer cells.
8Photodynamic therapy – Photodynamic therapy kills cancer cells. For this therapy, a doctor uses a special cream and a special light to treat the skin cancer.
What happens after treatment? — After treatment, you will need to be checked every so often to see if the skin cancer comes back or if new skin cancer appears. Your doctor will do an exam and check your skin all over. Most doctors also recommend that you keep checking your skin to look for any new changes. Show your doctor or nurse any skin changes you find.
What happens if the cancer comes back or if new skin cancer appears? — If the cancer comes back, or if you develop new skin cancer, you might need to have surgery or radiation therapy or use a prescription skin cream.
Can skin cancer be prevented? — You can help prevent skin cancer by protecting your skin from the sun’s rays. To reduce the chance of getting skin cancer, you can:
8 Stay out of the sun in the middle of the day (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
8Wear sunscreen and reapply it often
8Wear a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, or long pants
8 Not use tanning beds
What else should I do? — It is important to follow all your doctors’ instructions about visits and tests. It’s also important to talk to your doctor about any side effects or problems you have during treatment.
Always let your doctors and nurses know how you feel about a treatment. Any time you are offered a treatment, ask:
8What are the benefits of this treatment? Is it likely to help me live longer? Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?
8What are the downsides to this treatment?
8Are there other options besides this treatment?
8What happens if I do not have this treatment?
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