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) - 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
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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?
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Screening the One You Love for Skin Cancer(05/04/2009, American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/Dermatologists_Encourage_People_To_Screen_The_One_/
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Skin Cancer Is an Equal-Opportunity Health Threat(05/04/2009, American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/Consumer_Alert_Dermatologists_Warn_Skin_Cancer_Is_/
- Caffeine May Offer Some Skin Cancer Protection(02/26/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_81093.html
- On Sun Safety, Pool Staff May Take Cue from Others(02/17/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_80592.html
- 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 Biopsy(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/cosmetics/skinBiopsy.htm
- Skin Examinations(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/skin_examinations.html
- What Skin Cancer Looks Like(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/lookslike.html
- Chemotherapy: What Every Patient Should Know(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/chemotherapy.html
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Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment: Questions and Answers(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/cryosurgery
- Electrodesiccation(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/cosmetics/electrodesiccation.htm
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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/
- Mohs Micrographic Surgery(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/cosmetics/mohsMicrographicSurgery.htm
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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
- More Young Patients Hearing “You Have Skin Cancer”(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/young_patients_skin_cancer.html
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Skin Cancer (PDQ): Prevention(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/skin/patient/
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Skin Cancer (PDQ): Screening(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/skin/patient/
- Skin Cancer: A Fact of Life in Skin of Color(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/skin_of_color.html
- What to Expect at a Skin Cancer Screening(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/public/exams/screenings/expect.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
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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
- Immunosuppression & Skin Cancer(Skin Cancer Foundation) - http://www.skincancer.org/Weakened-Immune-System-can-Lead-to-Skin-Cancer.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
- Skin Types and At-Risk Groups(Skin Cancer Foundation) - http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Types-and-At-Risk-Groups.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
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Skin Cancer Risk: Understanding the Puzzle(National Cancer Institute) - http://understandingrisk.cancer.gov/a_skin/00.cfm
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Skin Cancer
(National Cancer Institute) - http://nihseniorhealth.gov/skincancer/toc.html
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Skin Cancer(Patient Education Institute) - 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
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If I Had - A Changing Mole(Insidermedicine) - http://www.insidermedicine.com/Archives/If_I_Had_-_A_Changing_Mole_-_Dr_Nanette_Liegeois_MD_PhD_1889.aspx?p=mdlnp
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Basal Cell(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Carcinoma,+Basal+Cell%22
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Carcinoma, Merkel Cell(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Carcinoma,+Merkel+Cell%22
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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
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Genetics Home Reference: Gorlin syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=gorlinsyndrome
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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
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Balance Is the Key to Production of Healthy Skin(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2009/skin_balance.asp
- Non-melanoma Skin Cancer Linked to Risk of Other Cancers(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Non-melanoma_Skin_Cancer_May_Raise_Risk_of_Other_Cancers.asp
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Screening for Skin Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation(American College of Physicians) - Links to PDF - http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/150/3/I-40.pdf
- 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
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Microvascular reconstruction after resection of soft tissue sarcoma of the... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19358178&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: The effective treatment of basal cell carcinoma. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19329898&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Prevalence of adrenal insufficiency following systemic glucocorticoid therapy in infants... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19289754&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
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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/
- Find an Oncologist(American Society of Clinical Oncology) - http://www.cancer.net/patient/Diagnosis+and+Treatment/Finding+Quality+Care/Find+an+Oncologist/Find+an+Oncologist+Database
- 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/
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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
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Cancer of the Skin (Excluding Basal and Squamous)(National Cancer Institute) - http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/skin.html
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Other Non-Epithelial Skin Cancer(National Cancer Institute) - http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/othskin.html
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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