Age Spots & Skin Cancer
Age spots, which can also be called liver spots is a type of skin disease caused by excess exposure of the body to sunlight. It is commonly found in adults in their 40’s and above, and it can be found on the back of the hands, neck, forearms, legs and face; it is usually brown or red in color and most times they could be seen as skin cancer especially if it is not treated well. Cancer can be defined as the growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer is not only peculiar to human beings; other living things too like animals can get cancer. It is usually identified by the name of the tissue which the abnormal cell is from; the abnormal cells can also be called tumor cells. Approximately, it is said that over 700 thousand new cancers occur every year and that at least half of every adult of 65 years and above develop cancer. While age spots are harmless and painless skin diseases that are often seen in older adults, skin cancer is a dangerous and deadly skin disease, which causes pain and itching. Age spots are easily treated with lighting creams but skin cancer is treated with surgery. Sometimes, age spots & skin cancer may look alike so for better diagnosis, it is advised that any one with an age spot and suspects skin cancer should see a doctor.
There are three different kinds of skin cancer; they are Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is usually seen as an age spot, caused by a long-term exposure to sunlight, mostly seen on the head, shoulders and neck. It is often mistaken for a sore that does not heal because there might be frequent bleeding at the center of the tumor. Basal cell carcinoma is actually the least deadly type of skin cancer and if treated properly, it will be permanently cured. The second one is Squamous cell carcinoma also known as SCC is a red thick patch on the sunlight exposed skin. Like Basal cell carcinoma, bleeding may also occur in SCC and if it is not properly treated, it may grow into a very large tumor. SCC is more deadly than the first one but not as deadly as the last type of skin cancer which is Melanomas. Melanomas is the most dangerous and deadly type of skin cancer. Itching, bleeding, change in color; shape and size are the signs of melanomas skin cancer.
Even though age spots are not dangerous and harmful, people with age spots have a higher risk of getting skin cancer because skin cancer is usually formed from an existing skin growth or disease.
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