What are the main causes of facial skin cancer?

In this article below, extremely skilled, experienced, and trusted consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Mr Ross Elledge, discusses skin cancer on the face, and what to look out for in terms of skin cancer development on the face.

What are the main causes of facial skin cancer?

The main cause of facial skin cancer is UV (sunlight) exposure. Recurrent episodes of sunburn and intense and prolonged sun exposure over a lifetime is the number one cause.

What are the main associated risk factors?

The main risk factors include:

• sun exposure
• people who have moles
• fair-skinned people
• certain genetic factors

How can I avoid facial skin cancer?

The main thing is protecting yourself against direct sunlight. People should use appropriate suncream. Wearing a hat really helps, as it keeps the direct sunlight off of you. Having an awareness of facial skin changes is also vital, as early detection can cure people of skin cancer progression.

What are the main warning signs?

There are different types of facial skin cancer: non-melanoma (basal cell carcinomas and squamous-cell carcinomas) and then there are melanomas. The melanomas tend to be pigmented lesions.

So, we are looking for irregular, itchy moles that bleed on contact. Perhaps even the appearance of a new mole. This should get someone to think that skin cancer is potentially the cause.

Non-melanoma skin cancers are lesions that are growing, itchy, and bleeding on contact. They are just new and changing appearances on the skin over time.

Is skin cancer curable?

Basal-cell carcinomas do not become life-threatening. Squamous-cell carcinomas and melanomas can become life-threatening as they can spread to other parts of the body.

New medical treatments and immunotherapies that have revolutionised treatment for patients diagnosed with skin cancer are available, which greatly increases survival rates.

To book an appointment with Mr Ross Elledge today, simply head on over to his Top Doctors profile.