Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma

the most common type of skin cancer

Major Cause

• Sun exposure

What is it?

• Basal cell cancer develops in the basal cell layer of the skin.

• When the cells are damaged by UV rays, the DNA mutates and a tumor develops.

Who gets it?

• Anyone with a history of sun exposure

But the people at high risk have:

• Fair skin• Blonde or red hair• Blue, green, or grey eyes

Basal Cell – The Cancer

• Basal Cell Carcinoma can look like a small pimple but must be treated in the early stages.

• Through it does not spread to vital organs, it can grow, causing tissue destruction.

• If I waited, the surgeon may have had to use a skin graft to repair the wound.

My Personal Experience

As a child and young adult…

As a child I visited my father in Florida each summer, as a teenager I lived on the beach in central Florida, I went to college in Florida, then moved to the Bahamas.

Living on the coast, spending the majority of my time in the water and boating meant…

Tons of Sun !!!!

• <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_4jgUcxMezM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tons of Sun !!!

• While I used sunscreen, I rarely protected my skin with a hat or clothing.

Biopsy

• This summer, I went to the dermatologist because I was concerned about two ‘bumps’ that seemed to have appeared over night.

• The dermatologist performed a biopsy. He shaved off the top layer of skin with a flexible razor and sent the sample to a laboratory.

I waited…

• The results of the biopsy were positive. I had basal-cell carcinoma on my cheek, forehead, and lip. However, it was the beginning of the school year and I didn’t want to miss the first month class.

Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery allows for

the removal of a skin

cancer with very narrow

surgical margin and a

high cure rate.

Day One

Plastic Surgeon

Although I do not have

any plastic in my face,

a plastic surgeon is

an artist. They ensure

the stitches do not

leave scars.

Day Two

The healing process…

Day Three Day Four

It gets worse before it gets better…

Day Five Day Six

The swelling decreasing…

Day Seven Day Nine

TodayDay 19

• The surgery was a painful process but with the help and patience of my friends and family, I survived.

Could this happen to you?

• Yes!!!

• “Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once.” – National Cancer Institute

Can it be prevented?

• Yes!!!

• Wear sunscreen

• Limit sun exposure

• Wear a hat

• If you really want a tan, buy it, it comes in a bottle.