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Skin cancer

Skin cancer is a collective name for several malignant skin conditions, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation play a major role, especially on a sunny island like Curaçao. However, skin cancer can affect every skin tone and does not always look like a dark mole. New, growing, bleeding or poorly healing patches need assessment. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by taking a biopsy or removing tissue for examination.

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  • Skin cancer is not one disease. Melanoma develops from pigment cells and can spread more quickly. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma develop from other skin cells and behave differently.
  • Ultraviolet radiation from the sun and sunbeds is an important risk factor. Exposure is often high in Curaçao, including on cloudy days and during brief periods outside.
  • Skin cancer can affect every skin tone. It is sometimes recognised later in dark skin because people believe it only affects light skin.
  • The ABCDE rule helps identify suspicious moles, but not every skin cancer looks like a mole. A wound that does not heal or a shiny lump can also be suspicious.
  • A definite diagnosis usually requires a biopsy or removal of suspicious tissue for examination under a microscope.

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Further reading

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S
Squamous cell skin cancerSquamous cell skin cancer often develops on sun-damaged skin. A growing scaly, crusted, bleeding or non-healing lesion needs assessment and usually confirmation with a skin biopsy. Early treatment often cures it.
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Basal cell carcinomaBasal cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer that usually grows slowly and almost never spreads to other parts of the body. Without treatment, however, it can grow further and damage surrounding tissue.
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KeratoacanthomaA keratoacanthoma is a rapidly growing skin lesion that often resembles squamous cell skin cancer. Do not treat it yourself or decide to wait based on its appearance alone. A doctor needs to assess whether referral, a biopsy or removal is needed. Rapid growth, bleeding, crusting or a lesion on sun-damaged skin particularly need medical assessment.