Skin cancer is an extremely common condition in the U.S., and approximately 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.

What’s more, non-melanoma skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, affect more than three million Americans each year.

Continue reading to learn all about the top three skin cancers, including causes, signs and symptoms, and risk factors.

Top 3 Skin Cancers

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer in the U.S. and affects nearly 800,000 Americans each year.

It forms in basal cells, which are located at the bottom of the epidermis, and often presents as small shiny bumps or nodules.

BCC is typically caused by chronic sun exposure and frequently found on sun-exposed parts of the body, including the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders and back.

Individuals with fair skin, blonde or red hair, and blue, green, or gray eyes are most susceptible to basal cell carcinoma.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma

There are approximately 250,000 new cases of squamous cell carcinoma in the U.S. each year. As such, squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer.

It develops in the outer layer of skin and can presents on any part of the body as a bump or as a red, scaly patch. SCC also has the potential to spread to other areas of the body.

Middle-aged and elderly individuals have the greatest risk of SCC.

3. Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma originates in melanocytes, which are pigment producing cells, and is the third most common form of skin cancer and the most deadly.

It is caused by excessive sun exposure and can develop out of an existing mole or in a new mole and can occur without warning.

That being said, melanomas that are detected and treated early are often curable. For this reason, it is extremely important for people to routinely check their skin and look for signs of asymmetry, irregular borders, multiple colors in a mole, diameter larger than the size of a pencil eraser, and evolution of a mole’s size, shape, color, or elevation.

Learn More

For additional information about skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, please call our office today to schedule a comprehensive consultation with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marjan Yousefi.