How Serious Is Basal Cell Skin Cancer?
Cancer is always serious and never to be taken lightly, but if you develop non-melanoma basal cell carcinoma skin cancer in Ocala, FL, know that world class skin cancer doctors are nearby and that you are not alone in your skin cancer diagnosis. Given the population of some 60,000-plus residents in Ocala, FL skin cancer is an issue you and a good 15,000 of your neighbors will have to face at some point, because non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in America and affects about one quarter of the population overall.
Identified early and with prompt basal cell carcinoma removal thanks to a great skin cancer dermatologist, you can expect an almost 100% survival rate of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) skin cancer, and with a 98% cure rate on the first round of interventions depending on which course of treatment you and your Ocala, FL skin cancer specialists choose. But you can only hope for such successful skin cancer treatment in Ocala if you act fast as soon as you think you identify basal cell carcinoma symptoms on your skin.
How Serious Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the other relatively common type of skin cancer, though it occurs less often than BCC. A squamous cell carcinoma does spread more quickly and aggressively than a BCC and thus if not caught and treated promptly, it is the more dangerous of the non-melanoma skin cancers. But if you spot squamous cell symptoms (which, like BCC symptoms, include irregular moles, sores or lesions, flaky yellow patches, raised shiny bumps, and more) and get prompt intervention, SCC is a very survivable and treatable skin cancer.
Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinoma Prognosis
As long as you get your non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed quickly after you spot symptoms (or your dermatologist spots them during your annual skin check, which is imperative for adults) and treatment begins quickly, your basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma prognosis should be good. With treatment, these cancers are curable and rarely spread deeper into the skin tissue or reach bones or organs.
Make sure you get to your Ocala, FL dermatologist annually for a skin check and make sure you treat any potential skin cancer symptoms seriously and go to the doctor right away — time is the best asset in treating skin cancer.
Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment in Ocala, FL
While there are many options for skin cancer treatment in Ocala, Florida, like Mohs surgery, laser surgery, topical medications, and so on, many Ocala dermatologists and skin cancer specialists today turn to Superficial Radio Therapy, a treatment that achieves a 98% cure rate when it is commenced promptly after a non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis. Superficial Radio Therapy (or SRT for short) such as can be offered using the Sensus Healthcare SRT-100, an FDA cleared device, is not only highly effective at treating skin cancer, it is also arguably the best noninvasive skin cancer treatment option in Ocala, FL and beyond.
SRT uses a low dose of radiation concentrated entirely on the outer layers of the skin (thus the “superficial”) with surrounding tissue protected by a lead shield during sessions. Only the carcinoma itself is destroyed by SRT — nearby healthy tissue is not damaged and there are no lingering side effects or damage to other healthy parts of the body such as medical radiation can cause when used in higher doses and to treat internal tumors. SRT is also an almost entirely pain-free skin cancer treatment. Patients need no pain medication and can leave the doctor’s office after their outpatient treatment session and get on with a completely normal day.
Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinoma Causes and Precautions
The main cause of basal and squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer is sun damage. Every time you expose your skin to too much UV light — which is really just radiation — your skin gets damaged and the cells “rememberer” the exposure in the form of damaged DNA. Later on, this damage often presents itself in the form of skin cancer. While a family history of skin cancer and having pale skin can put you at higher risk for non-melanoma skin caner, far and away the main cause of skin cancer is exposure to UV light from the sun (or from tanning beds or other sources).
To prevent skin cancer later in life, you need to break vigilant about wearing sunblock and hats and covering yourself as much as possible with clothing. Sure, the sun in Ocala, FL is lovely, but enjoy it safely.