Insights from The Orlando Senior Help Desk: Types of skin cancer to look for

Given that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70, it’s crucial to understand the basics of skin cancer so you can monitor your own skin for changes. Let’s review the essentials of four types of skin cancer: melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. The positive news is that early detection and treatment by a dermatologist can often eradicate skin cancer with minimal scarring.

In essence, skin cancer occurs when cells in the epidermis, the outer skin layer, grow uncontrollably due to DNA damage, leading to mutations. These cells then...