Dr. Deepa Sharma, Family Medicine Physician with Baptist Health Primary Care, discusses the three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma are two types of non-melanoma cancers. In contrast, melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. 

“Seeing a dermatologist is really important to have a complete skin exam and then the dermatologist can determine if you have cancer cells pre-cancer cells or are at risk of cancer” says Dr. Sharma. 

A common question asked is if these cancers are treatable. Dr. Sharma affirms that if skin cancer is detected early, it can be treated and is considered curable. However, skin cancers can spread and be life-threatening, the most dangerous being melanoma. Dr. Sharma highlights the importance of always focusing on prevention first and then early detection. Doing so would be critical to the best success rate. 

To watch the full segment of Dr. Sharma explaining the different types of skin cancers, visit: https://youtu.be/aDQ8PICymE4