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 squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a growth of abnormal cells arising in the squamous cells, which compose most of the skin’s upper layers. They are caused by extended and unprotected UV exposure. An estimated 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the US, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.
If you didn’t reach for your sunscreen before, we hope you will reconsider now. This information is not to scare but to inform and educate those who might not realize the harm that can come from unprotected sun exposure. If you have any questions about a spot on your skin or how to prevent squamous 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.
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