Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common.
Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who
- Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned
- Have light-colored skin, hair and eyes
- Have a family member with skin cancer
- Are over age 50
You should have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs.
National Cancer Institute
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Skin Cancer(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/skincancerandmelanoma/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/skincancerandmelanomaspanish/htm/index.htm
- Skin Cancer Risk: Understanding the Puzzle(National Cancer Institute) - http://understandingrisk.cancer.gov/a_skin/00.cfm
- What You Need to Know about Skin Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin
- Skin Cancer(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/sun_skin.html
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What Is Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_is_skin_cancer_51.asp?sitearea=
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.org/docroot/esp/content/esp_5_1x_que_es_51.asp?
- No Tan is a Safe Tan(09/18/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69454.html
- Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Ups Risk for Other Cancers(08/26/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68573.html
- Moisturizers Spur Skin Cancer in Mouse Study(08/14/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68162.html
- Protect Your Skin during the Summer Months(07/28/2008, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SkinCare/
- Biopsy: What to Expect(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/biopsy.html
- How Is Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancer Diagnosed?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_3x_how_is_skin_cancer_diagnosed_51.asp?sitearea=cri
- How Is Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancer Staged?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_3x_how_is_skin_cancer_staged_51.asp?sitearea=&level=
- Skin Examinations(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/skin_examinations.html
- Chemotherapy: What Every Patient Should Know(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/chemotherapy.html
- Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment: Questions and Answers(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/cryosurgery
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How Is Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Treated?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_2_4x_how_is_nonmelanoma_skin_cancer_treated_51.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.org/docroot/esp/content/esp_5_1x_tratamiento_51.asp?
- Immunotherapy: What It Is and How It Can Help Fight Cancer(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/immunotherapy.html
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Merkel Cell Carcinoma (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/templates/doc.aspx?viewid=09C74B94-5953-4917-9ED9-7A2C9C62F358&version=0
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/tratamiento/celulas-de-merkel/patient/
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Skin Cancer (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/skin/patient/
Also available in Spanish http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/tratamiento/piel/patient/
- Can Squamous and Basal Skin Cancer Be Prevented?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_2x_can_skin_cancer_be_prevented_51.asp?sitearea=&level=
- How to Check for Actinic Keratoses (AKs) during Skin Self-Exam(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/actinickeratosesnet/check_for_AKs.html
- Skin Cancer (PDQ): Prevention(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/skin/patient/
- Skin Cancer (PDQ): Screening(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/skin/patient/
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Skin Cancer: Saving Your Skin from Sun Damage(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/cancer/risk/159.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/cancer/risk/159.printerview.html
- What Will Happen After Treatment for Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_5X_What_happens_after_treatment_51.asp?rnav=cri
- Basal Cell Carcinoma(College of American Pathologists) - Links to PDF - http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/reference/myBiopsy/SkinBasalCellCarcinoma.pdf
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Questions and Answers(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/merkel-cell
- Periocular Skin Cancer -- Skin Tumors Around the Eye(American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) - Links to PDF - http://www.asoprs.org/files/public/InfoSkinCancer.pdf
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma(College of American Pathologists) - Links to PDF - http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/reference/myBiopsy/squamous_cell_skin_cancer.pdf
- Actinic Cheilitis(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/actinicCheilitis.htm
- Actinic Keratosis(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/actinicKeratosisSolarKeratosis.htm
- Athletes Face Tough Opponent: Skin Cancer(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/athletes.html
- Organ Transplant Increases Risk of Skin Cancer(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/organ_transplant.html
- What Are the Risk Factors for Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_2x_what_are_the_risk_factors_for_skin_cancer_51.asp?sitearea=
- What Should You Ask Your Doctor about Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_5x_what_should_you_ask_your_physician_about_skin_cancer_51.asp?sitearea=
- When to See a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/whentosee.html
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/basalCellCarcinomaBCC.htm
- Basal Cell Carcinoma: What It Looks Like(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/basal_cell_carcinoma.html
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/squamousCellCarcinomaSCC.htm
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: What It Looks Like(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/squamous_cell_carcinoma.html
- What Do Actinic Keratoses Look Like?(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/actinickeratosesnet/looklike.html
- Skin Cancer Risk: Understanding the Puzzle(National Cancer Institute) - http://understandingrisk.cancer.gov/a_skin/00.cfm
- Skin Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/skincancer/toc.html
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Skin Cancer(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/skincancerandmelanoma/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/skincancerandmelanomaspanish/htm/index.htm
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Basal Cell(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Carcinoma,+Basal+Cell%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Merkel Cell(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Carcinoma,+Merkel+Cell%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Skin Neoplasms(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Skin+Neoplasms%22
- Can We Inherit Skin Cancers Other Than Melanoma?(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/inherit_melanoma.html
- Genetics Home Reference: Gorlin syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=gorlinsyndrome
- Learning about Skin Cancer(National Human Genome Research Institute) - http://www.genome.gov/10000184
- Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Nevoid+Basal+Cell+Carcinoma+Syndrome
- Emerging Therapies for Skin Cancer Treatment(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/media/background/news/skincancer_2006_07_27_emerging.html
- MicroRNA Molecule Prevents Skin Cell Proliferation(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2008/micro_rna.asp
- More Young Patients Hearing “You Have Skin Cancer”(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/young_patients_skin_cancer.html
- What's New in Research and Treatment of Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_6x_whats_new_in_skin_cancer_research_and_treatment_51.asp?sitearea=cri
- Article: Marginal zone B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type:... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18716129&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: High association of human herpesvirus 8 in large-plaque parapsoriasis and... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18711073&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Sun exposure and vitamin D sufficiency. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18689404&tool=MedlinePlus
- Skin Cancer -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(skin+neoplasms[majr]+NOT+melanoma[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Dictionary of Cancer Terms(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary/
- Find a Dermasurgeon(American Society for Dermatologic Surgery) - http://www.asds.net/find.aspx
- Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/findaderm/
- Skin Cancer Screening Program(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/SkinCancerScreening/LocationSearch.aspx
- American Academy of Dermatology - http://www.aad.org/
- American Cancer Society - http://www.cancer.org/
- National Cancer Institute - http://www.cancer.gov/
- Skin Cancer Foundation - http://www.skincancer.org/
- 2008 Skin Cancer Fact Sheet(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/media/background/factsheets/fact_skincancer.html
- What Are the Key Statistics about Squamous and Basal Cell Skin Cancer?(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_are_the_key_statistics_for_skin_cancer_51.asp?sitearea=cri
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Skin Care: Men Who Care about Their Skin Protect It(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/general/615.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/men/general/615.printerview.html
- Skin Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/skincancer/toc.html
- Melanoma - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/melanoma.html
- Sun Exposure - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sunexposure.html
- Cancers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cancers.html
- Skin, Hair and Nails - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skinhairandnails.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Skin Cancer is the National Cancer Institute - http://www.nci.nih.gov/
Skin Cancer - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/skincancer.html