Skin Cancer

If you feel you have a suspicious lesion this should be assessed immediately without delay.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled multiplication of the body's cells. Our bodies are constantly making new cells to enable us to grow, to replace worn out cells or to heal damaged cells after an injury. Normally cells grow and multiply in an orderly way. Occasionally, however, some cells behave abnormally. They multiply in an uncontrolled way and these cells may then grow into a lump that is called a tumour which can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Benign tumours do not spread outside their normal boundary to other parts of the body. A malignant tumour is made of cancer cells. If these malignant cells are not treated they may spread into surrounding tissues and sometimes spread (metastasise) to distant sites.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is caused by uncontrolled replication of the surface cells of the skin. This is usually due to prolonged or excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure from the sun. Skin cancer is the commonest of all cancers and Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer worldwide. Unfortunately, two thirds of Australians will develop at least one skin cancer in their lifetime. People over 40 are at highest risk.

Diagnosis

If you check your skin regularly, you should be able to identify suspicious skin lumps early and get any checked by a doctor without delay. Skin cancer is diagnosed by physical examination and sometimes biopsy. Other parts of your skin also need to be checked for suspicious lesions. Skin cancers take a variety of forms:

1. Melanoma - highly malignant and therefore the most dangerous skin cancer.
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) - not as dangerous as melanoma but may spread to other parts of the body if not treated.
3. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) - most common and the least dangerous of the skin cancers.

For more information on Skin Cancers, please visit Dr Chris Moss website.

Warning: pigmentation is a common cosmetic problem and dramatic improvements are achievable; however, pigmentation is usually the first sign of early skin cancer and if removed may hide melanoma or other skin cancers. As skin cancers can kill it is recommended that all assessment and treatment be performed in a medical facility such as Liberty Belle that is also experienced in the early detection and management of skin cancer. The medical staff at Liberty Belle have personally managed many thousands of skin cancers.