What’s Your Skincare IQ?
May is Melanoma Awareness month. Each year, approximately two million people in the United States are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer, with the majority of them being either basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas. Today we are going to discuss basal cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is a growth of abnormal cells arising in the basal cells, which are found in the skin’s deepest layers. They often look like open sores, red patches or scars. While all skin cancers are dangerous, basal cell carcinoma almost never spreads beyond the original tumor site (unlike Melanoma). There are an estimated 2.8 million cases of basal cell skin cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Additionally, it is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers.
Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly and is usually painless. It may not look much different from your normal skin. However, if you have a skin bump or growth that is pearly/waxy and pink/red and resembles a wound, call your dermatologist immediately.
If you have any questions about a spot on your skin or how to prevent basal cell carcinoma, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.
