What's the difference between melanoma and skin cancer?
Today is the last day of #melanomamarch, so we’ll sign off with some information about skins cancers. What's the difference between melanoma and skin cancer?
Skin cancer and melanoma are often used interchangeably and you may wonder what the difference is. Essentially, melanoma is a type of skin cancer. However, there are other types of skin cancer as well. These include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
The main difference between melanoma and other types of skin cancer is the type of cells that are affected and how quickly the cancer can spread. Melanoma can be more aggressive and spread more quickly than other types of skin cancer, so it is important to detect and treat it early.
Melanoma is a cancer that begins in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment in the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most commonly found on areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, arms, and legs. Melanoma is a more aggressive form of skin cancer, and if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two other types of skin cancer that also commonly occur on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. They are less likely to spread to other parts of the body than melanoma, but they can still be dangerous if left untreated.
All skin cancers are a risk so regular skin checks is essential, as is ongoing sun protection daily to help prevent all types of skin cancer.
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