TThe most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma arises from the basal cells, small round cells found in the lower part (or base) of the epidermis. SSquamous cell carcinoma begins in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that look like fish scales found in the tissue that forms the surface of the skin, the lining of the hollow organs of the body, and the passages of the respiratory and digestive tracts.

If you have a spot, mole, or lesion that you think might be skin cancer, you need to see your doctor or a dermatologist immediately. The earlier you find skin cancer, the better your chances are of being cured.

The easy answer is to avoid sun exposure, particularly during childhood. Help us to support the idea that pale skin is more attractive than tanned skin! Use protective clothing, apply sun protection and do the self-skin exam on a regular base.

The sun causes at least 90% of all skin cancers! The number of blistering sunburns and the total amount of sun exposure in a lifetime are important risk factors. Sunburns are directly related to melanoma risk. Lifetime cumulative sun exposure directly correlates with basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma risk. Look out, anyone can get skin cancer, although some people are at greater risk than others!

The peak wavelengths of light used in the Acnelamp are outside those that may cause damage to the skin. Persons hypersensitive to any amount of light should not use this product.

Skin cancer has a 20- to 30-year latency period. The rates of skin cancer we are seeing today are most likely the result of bad habits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s that were based on ignorance and misinformation about sun tanning. In those days, many people still considered sunburns an inconvenient right of spring, a precursor to developing a summer tan. People believed that sunburns would "fade" into tans, and so tanners hit the beaches and blacktops with baby oil and reflectors.

This depends on the type of skin cancer. Most common are the non-melanoma skin cancers, basal and squamous cell carcinomas. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately one million basal and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin will have been diagnosed in the US in 1998, compared with a total of 1.23 million invasive cancers of all other types combined.

Yes! However, careful selection for blending reasons must be done. Some patients can very easily be more prone to postdermabrasion hyperpigmentation (variations in skin color). This can be managed with bleaching creams and agents, however, sun avoidance and judicious use of sunscreen is most important.

Yes. The FDA has approved the laser used by Affordable Laser Hair Removal (Gentle Touch Laser) as safe and effective for all skin types.

There are different kinds of eye cancers. Below are some of the places near or on the eye where cancers can grow and the types that may be present on each one of these places: Eyelid tumors. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of eyelid cancer. It can be removed with surgery. Other types of eyelid tumors include squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Tumors that grow on the surface of the eye (conjunctival tumors).

There are many different kinds of cancer depending on where in the body the cancer starts and the type of cell involved. The most common types are prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers. Out of every twenty cancer diagnoses, about three will be breast cancers, three will be prostate cancers, three will be lung cancers, and two will be colorectal. There will be about one in the bladder or kidney, one in the ovary, uterus or cervix, and one will be a lymphoma.

Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the United States. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (nonmelanoma skin cancer) are the most common forms of skin cancer, but are easier to cure than melanoma. The number of new cases of skin cancer appears to be increasing each year. The number of deaths due to skin cancer, however, is fairly small.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes (the cells that make the pigment melanin). Melanoma usually begins in a mole. Moles are very common. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles. A person may develop new moles from time to time, usually until about age 40. Moles can be flat or raised. They are usually round or oval and no larger than a pencil eraser. Many moles begin as a small, flat spot and slowly become larger in diameter and raised.

No, there is no evidence to suggest that removing all of the moles would reduce the risk of skin cancer. However, it is important to be alert to atypical moles, especially those exhibiting changes in appearance (in colour or at the edges), and to screen those individuals that are known to run a high risk, either from a family history of melanoma mortality or of atypical moles.

No. There is no evidence that getting a suntan will help prevent skin cancer. The UV exposure needed to acquire the tan adds to the skin cancer risk. The fact that one is able to tan well does, however, signify that the personal risk is lower (by a factor of 2 to 3) than for people who do not tan. Naturally dark-skinned people have a built-in protection of their skin against sunlight.

Whenever possible, people should avoid exposure to the midday sun (from 10AM to 2PM). Keep in mind that protective clothing, such as sun hats and long sleeves, can block out the sun's harmful rays. Also, lotions that contain sunscreens can protect the skin.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. An estimated 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. The most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for more than 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States. The most virulent form of skin cancer is melanoma. In some parts of the world, especially in Western countries, the number of people who develop melanoma is increasing faster than any other cancer.