Skin cancer is often caused by exposure to the sun. Different types of skin cancer present as unusual freckles, moles, or sores on the skin, usually on the face, forearms and hands.

Actinic Keratoses

These are pre-cancerous lesions and they should be shown to a doctor or dermatologist as soon as you become aware of them. They are most often noticed by touch, feeling rough to your fingers, but the area can be reddened. AKs can be treated by cryo-therapy, surgical scraping, or with creams that cause deep peeling, helping to shed the AK.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

The most common type of skin cancer, BCCs will keep growing in place unless they are treated, but unlike other cancers, they do not spread to other organs. Prompt treatment is nevertheless recommended.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The second most common skin cancer, these can appear similar to BCCs but often are more visible and unsightly. These cancers should be treated aggressively and promptly as they can spread to other parts of the body.

Melanoma

The most serious type of skin cancer, melanomas often appear in the form of moles. Melanomas can change shape and size, begin to itch or bleed, or show multiple shades of coloration in the same mole-like growth. While malignant melanomas are very serious indeed, they are also very rare, accounting for only one percent of all skin cancers.