Did you know that the most common cancer in the world is also one of the most preventable? Skin cancer starts when the DNA in our skin cells gets damaged—usually from the sun or tanning beds—and the cells start growing uncontrollably. If your body can't fix that damage, the cells can mutate and multiply, eventually forming a tumor. While most skin cancers develop on sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, arms, and legs, they can also appear on areas that are rarely exposed to the sun.

When we talk about skin cancer, it's usually one of three main types:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The most common form of skin cancer, which tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): The second most common type, which is more likely than BCC to grow deeper into the skin or spread, though this is still uncommon.
• Melanoma: The most dangerous and most serious type of skin cancer, as it is more likely to grow and spread to other parts of the body if not treated early.

Causes and Risk Factors for Skin Cancer

So, what causes skin cancer? The number one culprit is too much UV radiation. Beyond that, several things can increase your risk for skin cancer:

• Sun Exposure: The sun's UV rays are the main culprit.
• Tanning Beds: Artificial sources of UV radiation significantly increase your risk.
• Fair Skin: People with skin that burns easily, freckles, or have light-colored hair and eyes are more susceptible.
• History of Sunburns: A few bad sunburns in childhood or adulthood can increase your risk.
• Numerous Moles: A large number of moles or unusual-looking moles increases the risk of developing melanoma.
• Personal or Family History: A personal or family history of skin cancer makes you more likely to develop it.
• Weakened Immune System: Conditions that weaken the immune system can make you more vulnerable.
• Exposure to Certain Chemicals: Substances like arsenic can increase risk.
• Previous Radiation Treatment: Prior radiation treatment can be a contributing factor.

Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Catching skin cancer early makes a huge difference in treatment, which is why checking your skin regularly is so important. Here’s what you should be looking for:

• A new spot or mole that looks different from others.
• A mole or patch of skin that changes in size, shape, or color.
• A sore that doesn’t heal or keeps returning.
• A bump that is shiny, pearly, translucent, or firm.
• Scaly, crusty, or rough patches of skin.
• Itching, tenderness, or bleeding from a lesion.

For melanoma specifically, doctors have a handy memory tool called the ABCDE rule to help you spot the warning signs:

• A - Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
• B - Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred.
• C - Color: The color is not uniform and may include multiple shades or an uneven tone.
• D - Diameter: Larger than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser).
• E - Evolving: The spot is changing in size, shape, color, or symptoms.

What Early-Stage Skin Cancer Looks Like

You might be surprised by how harmless skin cancer can look at first:

• Basal cell carcinoma may show up as a small, flesh-colored or translucent bump that looks like a pimple that doesn’t go away. It can also be a flat, flesh-colored patch.
• Squamous cell carcinoma might appear as a rough, red, or scaly patch, or a sore that heals and then reopens.
• Melanoma often starts as a mole that appears different from the others—usually asymmetric, multicolored, or with jagged edges.

Recognizing Skin Cancer Symptoms on Black and Brown Skin

It's a dangerous myth that people with darker skin can't get skin cancer. While it's less common, it's often found at a later, more advanced stage, making awareness crucial. The warning signs of skin cancer can also be different, and they often show up in unexpected places that don't get much sun.

On Black skin, early signs of skin cancer might include:

• A dark spot, growth, or a darker patch of skin that is growing, changing, or bleeding.
• A sore that doesn’t heal, especially on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, fingers, or toes.
• A dark line or streak under a fingernail or toenail, which is a key sign of acral lentiginous melanoma, the most common type of melanoma in people with dark skin.
• A firm bump or nodule that may be shiny black or dark brown, which could indicate basal or squamous cell carcinoma.
• A patch of skin that feels dry, scaly, or rough.

Since these early signs of skin cancer can be subtle and hide in unusual spots, everyone—no matter their skin tone—should get into the habit of doing regular skin checks. When you spot something new or different, getting it checked by a doctor right away is the best thing you can do. Remember, catching skin cancer early can save your life.