Spotting the Signs of Skin Cancer Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Skin Cancer Spotting the Signs of Skin Cancer By Chris Iliades, MDMedically Reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MDReviewed: November 24, 2015Medically Reviewed Recognizing Skin Cancer Can Save Your LifeGetty ImagesA picture may be worth a thousand words, and now it may also save your life. Viewing images of skin cancer — the most common form of cancer in the United States — prompted people to examine their own skin for signs of the malady more frequently and more precisely, according to a review of studies published in 2013 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. "Visual images capture our attention and are persuasive," says study coauthor Laurie Hoffman-Goetz, PhD, professor emerita in the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, in a university news release. "They also help us to learn and remember." Researchers hope this proactive response to skin cancer images will help to promote early detection. "Incorporating images into clinical practice when educating patients can be a powerful tool in the fight against skin cancer," Dr. Hoffman-Goetz adds. Click through to learn how to recognize skin cancer. Additional reporting by Ingrid Strauch. Three Skin Cancers You Should Know About Getty ImagesWhat are the three types of skin cancer you need to know about? Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each year, more than 3.3 million people in the United States are treated for basal or squamous cell carcinoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, and more than 73,000 Americans learn they have melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Checking your skin regularly for signs of skin cancer means you're more likely to catch it early and get more effective treatment. Signs of Basal Cell Skin Cancer Getty ImagesBasal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting about 2.8 million Americans each year. It may appear as a shiny bump or nodule, red patch, pinkish growth, open sore, or scar-like area. It almost always occurs on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the head, neck, chest, arms, or legs. BCC is slow-growing and only rarely spreads to other areas of the body, making it highly treatable if caught early. But if left untreated, it can extend deep below the skin and cause local damage and scarring. Signs of Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Getty ImagesThe second most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), may take the form of a firm bump, open sore, or scaly, red patch. It appears most commonly on the tops of the ears, lower lip, face, neck, and head, and on the hands, arms, and legs. Squamous cell skin cancers are more aggressive than basal cell cancers; besides causing local damage, they can metastasize, or spread, to other areas of the body. Approximately 700,000 Americans are diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer each year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Signs of Melanoma Barry Mason/AlamyMelanoma accounts for less than 5 percent of all skin cancers but is responsible for the overwhelming majority of skin cancer deaths. One person dies of melanoma every 57 minutes. Melanoma most often develops on sun-exposed areas of the skin, but it can also start inside the eye, in the mouth, and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It often starts as a new mole or a change to an existing mole. Melanoma often occurs at a younger age than other skin cancers; it's the most common type of cancer in people ages 25 to 29. Checking Moles for Melanoma Getty ImagesRisk factors for melanoma include having fair skin, a history of sunburns, a family history of melanoma, or having more than 50 moles on your body — the average person has about 30. Indoor tanning can dramatically increase a person’s risk of melanoma. A change in an existing mole is the most common sign of early melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends checking for the ABCDEs of melanoma when examining your moles: Asymmetry, irregular Border, Color differences, large Diameter, a mole that looks Different from the others, and Evolution, or change, in a mole’s size, shape, or color. Actinic Keratosis An Early Warning for Skin Cancer Getty ImagesThe skin condition known as actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis, may be an early warning sign for some types of skin cancer. Keratoses are rough, raised, scaly spots that are commonly seen on sun-exposed areas of older people's skin. The spots range in color from brown to red and are frequently found on the scalp, face, neck, forearms, shoulders, and backs of the hands. It's estimated that 65 percent of squamous cell skin cancers begin as actinic keratoses. A number of treatment options can be used to remove actinic keratoses. How to Diagnose Skin Cancer Early Getty ImagesThe key to surviving skin cancer is early diagnosis. The five-year survival rate for melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, is 98 percent if the cancer is discovered and treated before it penetrates below the outer layer of skin. Regular self-examination is the best way to find skin cancer early. Check every part of your body using a mirror and good lighting (get assistance from a partner). Be on the alert for any scaling, oozing, or bleeding of moles or other spots on the skin. And tell your doctor about any new growths or changes in freckles or moles. Treatment for Skin Cancer Anamaria Mejia/AlamyIf your doctor suspects skin cancer, a biopsy will be done to make the correct diagnosis. There are many different types of skin cancer treatments available, depending on the type of cancer, its location, whether it's an aggressive form of skin cancer, the stage of the cancer, and your overall health. Some precancerous growths and skin cancers can be removed surgically. For others, freezing, chemotherapy, chemical peeling, dermabrasion, a type of light therapy called photodynamic therapy, radiation, or immunotherapy may be more effective approaches to treatment. Lower Your Risk of Skin Cancer iStock.comRemember, if you have fair skin, you're at the greatest risk for skin cancer. The best way to prevent skin cancer is to limit your sun exposure. Even though most skin cancers appear later in life, you get about half of your lifetime sun exposure before age 40. Start protecting yourself now by using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply it every two hours while outside. Wear protective clothing and put on a wide-brimmed hat in the sun. Avoid tanning beds, which substantially increase your risk for all types of skin cancer. Most Recent in Skin Cancer Standing Up for Better Lung Cancer Care New Guidelines Recommend Best Uses of Acupuncture Massage and Other Non-Drug Treatments for Cancer Pain Immunotherapy Given Before Target Therapy Improves Advanced Melanoma Survival Rates How to Avoid Pink Ribbon Pitfalls During Breast Cancer Awareness MonthNEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Cancer Care Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Skin Cancer 14 Great Sunscreens for People of Color Looking for a sunscreen that’ll work with dark skin? 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