Understanding Basal Cell Carcinoma

Female: Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of cancer with more than 800,000 new cases diagnosed in America each year. so what is Basal Cell Carcinoma? Female: Basal Cell Carcinoma or BCC is a type of skin cancer. Like other skin cancers, BCC usually results from chronic over exposure to the sun. One of the American film institutes greatest star of all time actress Elizabeth Taylor is perhaps BCC’s most famous victim. Elizabeth was known for her bathing suit body but her chronic sun habit resulted in a cancer diagnosis in 2002. Although BCC can happen to any sun worshiper, certain factors put you at a higher vest for developing the disease. Fair skinned, light-eyed individuals who are over 40 tend to be the prime candidates for this type of skin cancer. Historically, men are twice as likely as women to develop Basal Cell Carcinoma let us look at how BCC develops in the epidermis or skin. The epidermis has multiple layers repeated exposure to sunlight can cause DNA mutations in the deepest layer of the stratum basalis. The result, an abnormal growth in the epidermis is basal cell carcinoma. Most BCC’s show up on places that are repeatedly exposed to the sun such as the face, neck, shoulders and back. Other growths can vary in appearance there are several warning signs to look for. They may signal the on set of basal cell carcinoma. The most common type of BCC nodular basal cell carcinoma usually resembles a smooth round pimple. Pale yellow or gray in color nodular tremors may bleed after the slightest injury. Pigmented BCC is similar to nodular BCC. But it is most likely to appear in people with dark hair and dark eyes. These growths are brown or black in color and can sometimes be mistaken for melanoma a more aggressive caner. A less common type of basal cell carcinoma superficial BCC is known for its slow spread across the skin. Superficial BCC tumors have slightly crusted surfaces, which are sometimes bordered by tiny thread like formations. These tumors usually appear on the torso but can also develop on the face and neck. Another uncommon variant of this cancer is called sclerosing or morpheaform BCC. This type of growth often resembles the scar and can be yellow or white in color. Usually, sclerosing BCC’s grow quickly reaching several centimeters and link over mere months. Additional rare forms of BCC fiber epithelioma reddish lesions that appear on the back and cystic BCC variant of nodular BCC which is filled with gelatin like fluid. Basal cell carcinoma tumors can vary greatly I form so it is imperative that you get your skin checked regularly by a dermatologist. Female: Want to learn more? Check out other videos and sources on this site for more information.