Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of all the types of skin cancer. Seventy five percent of all skin cancer sufferers have basal cell carcinoma. At one time this was a disease mainly of older men. Especially those who had been in careers that meant they worked out of doors like construction workers. Although studies are showing changes in this trend in recent years, with more woman developing basal cell carcinoma, and the age of discovery of this disease lowering somewhat, more old men are still affected. Sometimes it develops in odd places that are not believed to be sun related. These places may include vaccination sites or burn sites, scarred areas, and tattoos.

The main cause of this disease is believed to be over exposure to the sun’s ultra violet rays. It is usually found on the face, scalp, and upper torso. Those most at risk for this skin cancer are people with fair skin, who have blond or red hair and blue, grey or green eyes. As well, people whose jobs require them to be out side and so exposed to the suns ultra violets rays for long periods of time like construction workers, exterior house painters, oilrig workers or linesmen. Or people who insist, despite the constant warnings, on sunbathing without protection. Too many still feel it couldn’t happen to them so why not work on their tan.

What is it that a person could find that should send them to their health care provider? If you notice a sore that remains open, or reopens and does not heal after three to four weeks, go see your health care provider. If you become aware of a reddish area that looks wrong, maybe even appears crusty and alternates between itchy and painful. Get it checked out. These spots are usually found on the chest, limbs or shoulders. The third type appears like a shiny protuberance and is almost transparent in appearance. It can be almost any color, tan, brown pink red or brown. This type is more common in dark haired people and looks so much like a mole that it s often mistaken for one. The next type to watch for is pink in color with a raised edge and is lower in the center of it. All of these should send you to your dermatologist or other health care provider. But this last one is the biggest problem. It often looks like nothing more than a scar. It is white or yellow in color. The skin appears shiny and stretched tightly. This one is often a sign of a tumor that is going to be trouble. If you notice one like his immediately see a physician.

If your health care provider suspects that one of these is cancerous they will take a biopsy to confirm this suspicion. If they are right and their patient has basal cell carcinoma then they will immediately schedule surgery to remove the growth and discuss a treatment plan with you.