"Skin cancer is very, very common. In men, recently, there has been a study that has shown with melanoma on the scalp and neck tends to be the most dangerous type of skin cancer," said Dr. Paul Rappaport, dermatologist.
A new study about skin cancer reports that patients with cancerous lesions on the scalp and neck died almost twice as fast after diagnosis compared to those whose cancer started anywhere else on the body. Experts are recommending that hair dressers be on the lookout for potentially deadly melanomas on the scalp.
"There are three main types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most, most common. Squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, which is a cancerous mole, and all of these are related to over exposure to the sun," Dr. Rappaport said.
Do you know someone who's had skin cancer and was successfully treated? Although 95 percent of the time most skin cancers are treatable, the remaining five percent of the cases can lead to death. Marcie Fraser has more.
One type of skin cancer does not turn into another. If you have basal cell carcinoma, the least deadly, it will remain a basal cell carcinoma. Basal cells look like a fleshy bump or a red, flat patch that can sometimes bleed. Squamous cell carcinoma looks like a reddish wart or scaly patch. Melanoma is the most deadly of all, it looks like a mole that is irregular in shape, asymmetrical and will be varied in colors from tan to brown or black.
"So you have to rely on your parents to apply sunscreen and keep you out of the sun. Dermatologist often recommend physical sun block, zinc oxide, which are now available in a vanishing form so they don't stay white on the skin," said Dr. Rappaport.
Your best defense against sun cancer is to cover up. If you are exposed, the key is use an effective sunscreen and use a lot of it every two hours. There are several types of sunscreens you can buy, so be choosy.
"Using a sun screen that is a physical barrier like vanishing zinc oxide is what we are recommending to our patients,” Dr. Rappaport said. “We are also recommending sun screen that contains anti-oxidants to help reverse some of the sun damage that produces free radicals in the skin and anti-oxidants will neutralize that effect."
Your risk for skin cancer is higher if you have a family history or have fair skin, red hair or blue eyes.