Actinic keratosis (AK): AK is a precancerous situation characterised by dry, scaly spots or patches. It usually seems on areas which can be typically uncovered to the solar, such because the neck, fingers, forearms and head. Being fair-skinned, having a historical past of extreme sunburns and having a weakened immune system raises the chance of AK. AK is usually a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma, Dr. Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist in personal follow and attending doctor at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York Metropolis.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most typical sort of pores and skin most cancers, BCC typically seems as flesh-colored, pearl-like bumps or pinkish pores and skin patches. It additionally develops on sun-exposed areas of pores and skin, however doesn’t develop rapidly and barely spreads, in line with the Pores and skin Most cancers Basis.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): This most cancers usually seems on sun-exposed pores and skin areas and infrequently resembles a scaly patch, agency bump or ulcer that heals after which re-opens, in line with the AAD. It’s the second-most frequent sort, and if not caught early, it may develop deep into the pores and skin and injure nerves, blood vessels and different physique elements.
Melanoma: Melanoma begins in pigment-producing cells often known as melanocytes. Whereas it’s much less frequent than different types of pores and skin most cancers, melanoma will be lethal as a result of it may unfold to different organs quickly. About 186,680 new melanoma instances can be identified in 2023, in line with the SCF, and an estimated 7,990 of these individuals will die. Melanoma typically seems out of the blue as a brand new darkish spot, or could crop up in an current mole.
