| Basal Cell (often misspelled as Basil) is arguably the | | | | own. |
| most common form of skin cancer in the world. Basal | | | | If you experience any of the above go make an |
| Cell Cancer starts in the lowest layer of the Epidermis | | | | appointment with a dermatologist ASAP. |
| (skin), which is called the Basal cell layer. Around | | | | Treatment Of Basal Cell Skin Cancer |
| eighty percent of diagnosed skin cancers are Basal | | | | Treatment varies depending on the size, depth, and |
| Cell Carcinomas. This figure used to be higher (at | | | | location of the basal cell cancer. Treatments options |
| 90%), but cases of Melanoma are unfortunately | | | | can include surgery, MOHS surgery, radiation, |
| climbing. | | | | cryosurgery (freezing cancer cells), topical |
| Basal cell carcinoma is a slow growing cancer and | | | | chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Treating |
| rarely spreads to other parts of the body through | | | | Basal cell with MOHS is by far the best way to |
| the blood stream. Basal Cell Carcinoma is usually | | | | prevent the Basal cell cancer from coming back |
| never fatal, however it can become severely | | | | (about a one percent chance of returning) while |
| disfiguring if left untreated. | | | | other forms of basal cell treatment are less effective |
| Causes of Basal Cell Skin Cancer | | | | (about a ten percent return rate). MOHS is a surgical |
| Basal cell skin cancer is caused by repeated | | | | procedure that involves removing tumor tissue layer |
| exposures to ultraviolet radiation (UV rays). Sources | | | | by layer. Each of the layers of removed tissue are |
| of this type of radiation come from Sun and tanning | | | | then scanned for cancer cells under a microscope. |
| beds (no big shock there). Intense exposures of UV | | | | Preventing Basal Cell Cancer |
| rays, such as sunburns can drastically increase the | | | | The best way to prevent Basal cell skin cancer is to |
| occurrence of Basal cell cancer. | | | | protect exposed areas of your skin to UV rays. |
| Signs Of Basal Cell Skin Cancer | | | | Always try to use a sun block with an SPF of at |
| Basal cell cancer can be hard to spot early on | | | | least 30 (and that doesn't contain Oxybenzone if |
| because it almost looks like regular skin features. | | | | possible). Covering up is the single best way to |
| Basal Cell skin cancer almost always forms on the | | | | prevent sun damage. Also, keep in mind that when |
| face, neck, arms and legs (basically any parts of the | | | | clothes become wet they lose about half their |
| body that are exposed to the sun). | | | | protection from harmful UV rays. |
| Below are some things to look for: | | | | Remember, only one bad sunburn drastically increases |
| -Deep red area on the skin that doesn't heal. | | | | your chances for either Basal cell skin cancer or |
| -Bumps that look like blisters that never burst. | | | | Melanoma skin cancer. |
| -Lesions (holes in the skin) that never heal on their | | | | |