Squamous cell carcinoma

Alternative names:

cancer of the skin (squamous cell); skin cancer - squamous cell

Prevention:

Minimize sun exposure.

Protect skin from the sun by wearing protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts or pants. Sunlight is most intense at mid-day, so try to avoid exposure during these hours. Use high-quality sunscreens, preferably with SPF (sun protection factor) ratings of at least 15. Apply the sunscreen at least a half hour before exposure and reapply frequently. Use a sunscreen for winter exposure to the sun also.

Examine the skin regularly for development of suspicious growths or changes in an existing skin lesion. A new growth that ulcerates or is slow to heal is suspicious.

Suspicious changes in existing growths include a change in their color, size, texture, and appearance, or development of pain, inflammation, bleeding or itching.

A lesion that is asymmetrical, has irregular or diffuse borders, has multiple colors mixed in one lesion, or is larger than 6 mm (millimeters) diameter is suspicious.