Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more dangerous but less common.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but it is more common in people who: spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned; have light-colored skin, hair and eyes; have a family member with skin cancer; are over age 50. Dietary/nutritional factors are also associated with skin cancer.

You should have your doctor check any suspicious skin markings and any changes in the way your skin looks. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. If not treated, some types of skin cancer cells can spread to other tissues and organs.

References

National Cancer Institute: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skincancer.html