Skin cancer most often develops on areas exposed to sunlight, but can also occur on areas not exposed to sun. There are three main types of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Skin cancer can form on both sun-exposed and non-exposed areas of the body. Risk factors include light skin, freckling, family history, older age, and multiple moles. Diagnosis involves examination of suspicious skin and possible biopsy. Treatment depends on the cancer type, size and depth but may include removing the entire growth.

2. Skin cancer — the
abnormal growth of skin
cells — most often
develops on skin exposed
to the sun. But this
common form of cancer
can also occur on areas of
your skin not ordinarily
exposed to sunlight.
There are three major
types of skin cancer —
basal cell carcinoma,
squamous cell carcinoma
and melanoma

3. Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of
sun-exposed skin, including the scalp,
face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and
hands, and on the legs in women. But it
can also form on areas that rarely see the
light of day — your palms, beneath your
fingernails or toenails, and your genital
area.
Skin cancer affects people of all skin
tones, including those with darker
complexions. When melanoma occurs in
people with dark skin tones, it's more
likely to occur in areas not normally
exposed to the sun, such as the palms of
the hands and soles of the feet

4. Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
A pearly or waxy bump
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
A bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and
returns
Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
A firm, red nodule
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
Melanoma signs and symptoms
large brownish spot with darker speckles
A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that
appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black
A painful lesion that itches or burns
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or
on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina
or anus

6. RISK FACTORS
A lighter natural skin color.
Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or
becomes painful in the sun.
Blue or green eyes.
Blond or red hair.
Certain types and a large number of moles.
A family history of skin cancer.
A personal history of skin cancer.
Older age.

8. Diagnosis
Examine your skin. doctor may look at your skin
to determine whether your skin changes are
likely to be skin cancer. Further testing may be
needed to confirm that diagnosis.
Remove a sample of suspicious skin for testing
(skin biopsy). Your doctor may remove the
suspicious-looking skin for lab testing. A biopsy
can determine whether you have skin cancer
and, if so, what type of skin cancer you have.

9. Treatment
Treatment options for skin cancer and the
precancerous skin lesions known as actinic
keratoses will vary, depending on the size,
type, depth and location of the lesions.
Small skin cancers limited to the surface of
the skin may not require treatment beyond
an initial skin biopsy that removes the entire
growth