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 initial signs of squamous cell skin cancer could be a red spot or mark on the epidermis or top layer of the skin.

The mark will be raised from the skin. It will grow larger with time and can often develop into an irregular shaped blemish. To the touch, it will feel scaly and hard. As the cancer develops the blemish may develop a lesion and bleeding may come from it. Squamous skin cancer develops to surrounding skin cells quite often if not treated. 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. Particularly bad cases of squamous cell carcinoma may look like large ulcers or lesions on the skin. They can occur on all areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun but mainly on the face and neck.

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. You should strive to prevent the disease ever happening to you rather than having to go through treating it. Although preventative methods are no guarantee against getting the disease they can certainly make a difference.

Avoid spending too much time in the sun. Your skin type may also make you more susceptible to sun burn and sensitivity to UV radiation. If you can't avoid being in the sun as you work outdoors or much of your leisure time is spent outside then take adequate protection.

Wear protective clothing, like a wide brimmed hat (or some kind of head gear) and a shirt preferably long sleeved. also wear eye protection and a sunscreen.

For more information on the physical signs of skin cancer visit http://symptomsofskincancer.net. The site covers detecting and treating skin cancer.