What Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma

There seems to be more awareness of skin cancer recently. This may be due to a combination of things. Firstly more understanding of the causes of the disease are prompting awareness campaigns on popular media like TV and radio. Also, more people are doing things that put them at risk to the disease. There is also a suggestion that certain changes in the environment might be the cause for the increasing number of people getting skin cancer. This article will cover what is squamous cell carcinoma, one of the three types of the disease.

The early signs of squamous cell carcinoma are a red mark or spot forming on the top of the skin or epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma is known to spread so the mark may get bigger and develop into an irregular shaped mark of blemish. Eventually the blemish may become scaly or hard. It may develop a lesion and bleed in some cases. If it isn't treated the carcinoma will spread but normal to surrounding skin cells on the surface of the skin.

Another type of squamous skin cancer is called Bowen's disease. It generally occurs in people over sixty and is more common in women. It's typical signs are a large red rash on the surface of the skin. It is slightly elevated from the skin and had a pronounced edge. As it develops the rash will become scaly to the touch and lesions may develop.

When the carcinoma gets bad they can look like an open ulcer and can weep blood fairly regularly requiring constant dabbing or putting some cream on the sore. The disease can happen all over the body but it is more common on areas of the body exposed to sunlight., particular the face, neck and ears.

As the condition is often in prominent positions (like the face) and is often very noticeable, it is usually picked up fairly quickly. Treatment generally involves removing the area of skin affected. This can be done through excision or by freezing the cells. It is a relatively straightforward procedure that can be done in a doctors surgery.

Preventing squamous skin cancer is obviously more desirable than ever having to treat it. The best way to prevent any skin cancer is to limit the amount of time you spend in the sun or appliances that expose the skin to UVA and UVB radiation (like sun beds). The length of time depends on your skin type but no matter what type it is you should avoid excessive sun tanning and sunburn.

If you must go out in the sun then wear protective clothing and a wide brimmed hat. Wear eye protection and sunscreen. You should reapply the sunscreen every few hours (or the recommended usage advice on the sunscreen bottle).

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Find out more on common signs of skin cancer at symptomsofskincancer.net. You will find information on detecting and treating skin cancer.

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