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Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you tell me about skin cancer? My sister, who’s 57, just had two skin cancer spots removed from her neck and has been telling me I need to get checked too. But the thought of cancer bothers me so much I don’t want to know if I have it. What do you think?

Cancer Phobic

Dear Phobic,

The word “cancer” is unsettling for a lot of people but you need to be aware that most forms of skin cancer are easily cured, especially when detected early. Here’s what you should know.

Skin cancer, which is mainly caused by UV radiation from the sun, is the most common type of cancer affecting more than a million Americans each year, most of which are over the age of 50. Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greatest for people who have fair skin and freckle easily. Here are the three types of skin cancer you should be aware of.

Basal Cell

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer accounting for nearly 90 percent of all skin cancers in the United States. BCC’s are slow-growing tumors that are most often found on the face, neck, hands, or other parts of the body that have been exposed to the sun. The good news is that this type of skin cancer is easily cured and almost never spreads to other parts of the body, but it can grow and destroy other tissues if it’s not removed. Here are some warning signs of BCC you should watch for:

• An open sore that bleeds, oozes, or crusts and won’t heal.

• A red patch or irritated area.

• A smooth, shiny waxy-looking bump or nodule.

• A pink growth with an irritated indentation.

• A scar-like area that is white or yellow.

Squamous Cell

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer that can appear anywhere on the body but usually shows up on the face or other exposed areas. SCC typically appears as a lump that grows into a wart-like lesion, or it may arise in patches of red, scaly sun-damaged skin. This type of skin cancer can metastasize (spread) if it’s not removed.

Melanoma

The least common but most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma. In its earliest stages, melanoma can be easily removed, but left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body and can be fatal. Key warning signs to watch for are changes in the size, shape, feeling or color of a mole or spots on the skin. Men most often get melanoma on their trunk, especially between the shoulder blades, or on their head or neck, while women get it most often on the arms and legs.

Detection

The cure rate for skin cancer could be 100 percent if all skin cancers were brought to a doctor’s attention before they had a chance to spread. Therefore, it’s a good idea to periodically check your entire body for new growths or other changes in your skin. And if you notice any changes, get to a dermatologist (skin doctor). People who have already had skin cancer should have a total body skin exam by a dermatologist or other qualified medical professional every year.

Treatment

If caught early, the vast majority of basal and squamous cell skin cancers can be surgically removed in a simple, painless procedure right in a dermatologist’s office. Treatment for melanoma is more complicated, but surgery is effective for most early stage tumors.

Savvy Resource

American Academy of Dermatology: Offers free educational pamphlets on skin cancer, a national dermatologist locating service and sponsors a free skin cancer screening program in communities nationwide (typically done in May). Call 888-462-3376 or visit www.aad.org.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenor.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of The Savvy Senior” book.