Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer
More people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every year than any other form of cancer, and about 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Needless to say, dermatologists are quite busy. However, not all skin cancers are melanoma. In fact, two other types of skin cancer are much more prevalent than melanoma; they are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Read more below to find out more about these types of skin cancer and when to make an appointment with a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of cancer out there with about 3.6 million cases in the US reported annually. About 90% of cases of BCC are found on the head, neck, and other sun exposed areas. They grow very slowly, but if left untreated they have the potential to spread to nearby skin tissue and bone. A lot of patients report to their dermatologist, “I’ve had this pimple on my face for a while and it just won’t heal.” When treated promptly, basal cell carcinomas have a very high cure rate. It is important to keep in mind that people with a history of BCC are at about a 40% chance of growing another BCC in their lifetime, so regular skin cancer screenings with dermatology is crucial.