About 7,650 are expected to die. Trends in basal cell carcinoma incidence rates: A 16-year retrospective study of a population in central Poland. Do you now have or have you ever had a job that may have exposed you to pesticides or herbicides? Radiation therapy. Whats the Difference Between Seborrheic Keratosis and Actinic Keratosis? How do you ask for help or support when no one knows you need it? What Is Mohs Surgery? | Dermatology - JAMA Network So while the original red mark appeared to be very small, the cancer was actually much larger below the surface. Avoid areas where you might be exposed to harmful chemicals. Arsenic. It is ok to be scared. PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Check your skin regularly for any bumps, redness, or unusual growths. One close friend said, "yeah I had that, they just take it off, right?" Patients with BCC often develop multiple primary tumours over time. "SoI had skin cancer. But I've had excision biopsies 4 times (I'll explain that in a moment). It was right by my left eyebrow, andat first, I just thought it was a zit. Basal and Squamous cell carcinomas are the most common forms of skin cancer, while Melanoma is the most life-threatening. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/treating/other-than-surgery.html. Not that big of an area, or so I thought. Then, he underwent MOHs resection to remove another basal cell carcinoma of the right ala. I'm so thankful that I had the spot on my skin biopsied when I did. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but can become locally invasive. SkinCancer.net is a Health Union community. Basal cell carcinomas of the nose are slow growing and treatable if you catch them early. After the final repair, I had some pain. It tends to grow slowly. I arrived andwas prepped for the surgery. When I had my Mohs surgery I had to go out to the waiting room in between each cutting session and I needed a skin graft in the end so I had stitches behind my ear from that as well! And I totally did at first! Your doctor may do a skin biopsy, which involves removing a small sample of a lesion for testing in a laboratory. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. I think we go through life trying to be so stoic and act as if we are unflappable. Do you examine your own skin on a regular basis? Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Financial Assistance Documents Minnesota, Available Sun Protection Products at Mayo Clinic Store, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition. "It took eight hours for them to cut everything out.". Even though I love the look of a tan, this experience overall has made me so much happier in my own skin. For me, I HATE stitches, so that part of the process is the hardest.