Are All Skin Cancers the Same?

The simple answer is no. The 3 most common forms of skin cancer are Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. Basal Cell is very good at hiding in plain sight. They appear as pink, pearly bumps or classically as a pimple that won’t heal. Squamous Cell are more commonly red, scaly patches or painful red bumps that continue to grow. Melanomas can also disguise themselves as moles and hide in plain sight among sun spots, moles and freckles. Another type of skin cancer that has recently become a household topic, is Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Merkel cell is a very rare, and very aggressive form of skin cancer. These are painless flesh colored or blue/red lumps that appear on sun-exposed areas. It is important to look at your skin regularly and ask your doctor or see a dermatologist about any spots you are concerned about or any new spots you haven’t noticed before. Skin exams are recommended at least once a year for skin cancer surveillance.