A few years ago, an elderly woman named Aunt Li noticed a few brown spots on the back of her hand and thought they were just ordinary age spots. She didn't pay much attention to it, just applied some hand cream every now and then. After a few months, instead of fading, the spots began to grow larger, discolored, and some even ulcerated. Aunt Li finally decided to go to the hospital for examination, and was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, but fortunately, it was detected in time, and after surgery and treatment, the condition was controlled.
Aunt Lee's story is not unique. Many elderly friends will encounter a similar situation, mistaking skin cancer for age spots, delaying the time for treatment. Therefore, it is especially important to understand the difference between age spots and skin cancer in middle-aged and elderly people. This article will introduce the difference between age spots and skin cancer in detail to help you better protect your health.
Basic understanding of skin cancer: recognize the invisible killer
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, mainly including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Knowing the basics of these skin cancers can help us detect them early and treat them properly.
Basal cell carcinoma: the most common type of skin cancer
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of all skin cancer cases. It usually appears on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, neck, and backs of the hands. Basal cell carcinoma grows more slowly and usually doesn't metastasize to other parts of the body, but if left untreated, it can cause damage to surrounding tissues.
Early symptoms of basal cell carcinoma include small, clear or waxy lumps, and sometimes blood vessels may appear on the surface. Over time, these bumps may ulcerate, bleed, or crust over. If you notice non-healing sores or abnormal growths on your skin, you should seek medical attention promptly.
Squamous cell carcinoma: Skin cancer that grows faster
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer, accounting for about 20% of all skin cancer cases. This cancer is also common in areas exposed to sunlight, but it grows faster than basal cell carcinoma and spreads more easily to other parts of the body.
Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears as a hard, red nodule with a rough, scaly surface and sometimes ulceration. Unlike basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to spread rapidly in a short period of time, so early detection and treatment are important.
Malignant melanoma: the deadliest form of skin cancer
Malignant melanoma, although it accounts for only about 1% of all skin cancer cases, is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanoma originates from melanocytes in the skin and is commonly found in sun-exposed areas of the skin, but it can also appear in other parts of the body, such as the soles of the feet, palms, under the fingernails, etc.
Early symptoms of melanoma often appear as an irregular, rapidly enlarging black or brown spot with undefined edges, uneven color, and a diameter greater than 6 mm. If you notice any of the above changes in moles or spots on your skin, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Early identification and prevention of skin cancer
Although skin cancers vary in types and symptoms, there are some common early detection methods and preventative measures. First, check your skin regularly, especially those exposed to the sun, and watch for any new spots, bumps, or skin changes. Second, protect your skin from UV rays by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding going outside during periods when the sun is at its strongest. In addition, adopting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a balanced diet, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, and regular medical check-ups can help reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Key points to distinguish age spots from skin cancer
Morphological and color contrasts: Significant differences between age spots and skin cancer
Age spots usually appear as flat or slightly raised patches that are mostly light brown, brown, or black in color, with regular shapes and well-defined edges. It is generally between a few millimeters and one centimeter in size and is commonly found on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, the backs of the hands, and the forearms. Age spots have a smooth texture and feel indistinguishable from the surrounding skin.
The appearance of skin cancer is varied, but it generally appears as an irregular shape and color. Basal cell carcinoma is usually a small, pearly nodule with a smooth surface, sometimes with dilated blood vessels. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually red or pink patches with a rough surface, scaly or crusted, and easy to bleed. Malignant melanoma is the most dangerous and often appears as asymmetrical black or brown plaques with indistinct edges, uneven color, and more than 6 mm in diameter.
Velocity and Change: Dynamic Differences Between Age Spots and Skin Cancer
Age spots change very slowly and may remain stable for many years without significant growth or change in texture. This is because age spots are caused by chronic damage to skin cells caused by long-term exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet rays, which are essentially benign growths.
Skin cancers change relatively quickly, especially malignant melanoma, which can grow rapidly and even ulcerate and bleed over weeks or months. The rapid proliferation and aggressive growth of skin cancer cells can lead to significant changes in the lesion site, which is in stark contrast to age spots.
Self-examination method: simple and effective identification skills
To help distinguish age spots from skin cancer, the "ABCDE" rule can be used:
A (Asymmetry): Age spots are usually symmetrical, whereas skin cancers are often asymmetrical.
B (Border): Age spots with well-defined edges, and skin cancer with blurred or jagged edges.
C (Color): Age spots are uniformly colored, and skin cancer is unevenly colored, and there are many shades.
D (Diameter): The diameter of age plaques is generally less than 6 mm, and skin cancer is often larger than 6 mm.
E (Evolution): Age spots change slowly, and skin cancer changes rapidly.
Examine your skin regularly, and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the above abnormalities in the patches.
Precautionary measures
Sun protection measures: the first step in preventing age spots and skin cancer
Sun protection is key to preventing age spots and skin cancer. Ultraviolet rays are one of the main factors in skin aging and cancer. For effective sun protection, the following measures should be taken:
Use sunscreen: Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, apply evenly, and reapply every two hours, especially after sweating or swimming.
Wear protective gear: Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved clothing and long pants when going out to minimize skin exposure.
Avoid strong sunlight: Try to avoid going out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are at their strongest.
Lifestyle habits: Healthy living reduces the risk of skin lesions
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can also help prevent age spots and skin cancer. Here are some effective suggestions:
Eat a balanced diet: Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, to help repair skin damage.
Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Keep your skin clean: Cleanse your skin regularly, use gentle cleansing products, and avoid harsh chemicals.
Regular check-ups: Skin check-ups should be done every year, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer or have sunburns.
Early detection and treatment: The key is to seek medical attention promptly
Early detection and treatment are key to preventing skin cancer from getting worse. Pay attention to any new patches or changes in existing plaques on the skin, and seek medical attention and professional examination in a timely manner. Dermoscopy, biopsy and other means can accurately diagnose skin lesions and take early treatment measures.
For age spots, if their appearance affects the aesthetics or the patient's psychology, laser treatment, cryotherapy and other methods can be used to remove them, but these treatments are for cosmetic purposes only and there are no health risks.
Treatment for skin cancer includes surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the type and stage of the cancer. The effect of early treatment is significant, and the difficulty and risk of late treatment increases.