These Photos Show Some of the Strange Ways Skin Cancer Can Hide
Editor’s note: This post contains graphic pre- and post-operative photos.
When you hear the words “skin cancer,” you may think of sunburns, irregular-shaped moles, tanning beds and fair-skinned people. Although it’s true that all of these things are associated with various types of skin cancers, there’s a lot people underestimate or don’t know when it comes to how deadly and unassuming skin cancer can be.
Sometimes the first signs of skin cancer don’t show up as random moles, but as open sores, red bumps or scars. Cancerous cells don’t always come from daily visits to the tanning salon or beach but build up over time from occasional exposure to the sun. At least that’s often the case when it comes to basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, about eight out of 10 skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas, which develop in layers of the epidermis on sun-exposed areas like the head and neck. Although it’s rare for this cancer to spread to other parts of the body, it can invade surrounding bone or tissues if left untreated.
To help raise awareness, we wanted to show you photos of people diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. From the top of a scalp to the bottom of an elbow, here are some places skin cancer can hide.
On Your Shoulder
One warning sign of basal cell carcinoma is an open sore that bleeds and crusts over and just won’t heal, like this one on a shoulder.
This is just a reminder for all people to wear your sunscreen every day! As you can see my shoulder turned from a biopsy to stitches because it turned out to be basal cell carcinoma. It could have been worse. #skincancer #spf #sunscreen #basalcellcarcinoma #melanoma #stitches #spfclothing #hats #lips #bodycheck #ears #feet #sunprotection
On Your Nose
Basal cell carcinomas can also appear as shiny bumps or slightly indented pink growths on the nose.
Above Your Lip
An irritation or scar-like area above the lip can also be a sign of basal cell carcinoma.
On Your Scalp
A hidden mole on the scalp is one of the hardest spots to detect during a self-exam.
On Your Forehead
Irritated or red patches on the forehead that crust or itch may also indicate basal cell carcinoma.
On Your Cheek
One of the more common places compared to the other spots on this list, basal cell carcinoma can appear on your cheek, just below your eye, because of the face’s direct exposure to the sun.
Under Your Arms
Although signs of basal cell carcinoma usually appear on sun-exposed areas, it can occur on more hidden areas like under your arms.
On Your Chest
A red, irritated spot on your chest that burns is a huge warning sign indicative of basal cell carcinoma.
Have a skin cancer photo you’d like to share? If so, post it in the comments below.
Trish is the Cancer Editor at The Mighty. She lost her father to stage 4 lung cancer in August 2016, and previously worked at a children’s cancer research organization, so she knows firsthand about the cancer experience. A lover of hip hop music, hot sauce and kimchi, she lives in Maryland with her husband, two dogs, cat and feisty 2-year-old daughter. Check her story out in the book, “A Letter to My Mom.“
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