Skin cancer remains the most common type in Brazil and requires constant attention from the population. This year, the incidence of the disease is expected to reach 704,000 new cases, according to projections from the National Cancer Institute (Inca), including carcinomas and melanomas.
Faced with this scenario, experts emphasize that regular observation of the skin and continued prevention are crucial for early diagnosis and increasing the chances of recovery.
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According to professionals at the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (HSPE), in São Paulo, any wound that does not heal within four weeks should be investigated. The warning applies to blemishes, moles or lesions that seem simple, but change over time.
Types of Skin Cancer Require Special Attention to Detail
There are three main types of skin cancer, each with specific characteristics:
- Basal cell carcinoma, the most common, generally presents as a sore that does not heal.
- Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a bleeding scab, a rough area, or a wart that grows quickly.
- Melanoma, although less common, is the most aggressive and usually manifests as a new mole or lesion that changes size, shape or color.
“Often melanoma starts as a discreet spot, which differs from the pattern of other moles and ends up being ignored,” explains dermatologist Bethânia Cavalli, head of the HSPE Cutaneous Oncology Outpatient Clinic.
Read the full report in Saúde em Dia, partner of Metropolises.
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