Skin Cancer is one of the most common types of Cancer in Greece.

There are 3 major Types of Skin Cancer:

-Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
-Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
-Melanoma.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer. This form of cancer affects the squamous cells, which are located in the epidermis. SCC can appear in any area of the skin, but is most common in areas that are extensively exposed to the sun.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) occurs as a thick, rough, scaly lesion that can bleed in case of injury . It often looks like a skin tag and sometimes appears as an open sore. The best way to be treated is with surgery and an histological examination (Biopsy) is required. At the Athens South Dermatological Center, a removal is performed using local anesthesia with excellent aesthetic results.

Melanoma is divided into four types:

– Superficial Spreading Melanoma

– Nodular Melanoma

– Lentigo Maligna Melanoma

– Lower Extremity Melanoma

The self-examination is very important for the determination of Skin Cancer’s existense. More specifically, everyone has to control his/her whole body in front of a mirror. Starting, usually, from top to bottom, i.e. from the head, someone can examine the face, the ears, as well as the head, through the hair. Then, the rest of the body follows.

For the examination of the back area, one should ask help of the partner or a relative. It is also important to control the areas between the toes and hands. The purpose of the self-examination is to detect suspicious nevi, but also to compare them for any changes. As a test for the Prevention of Melanoma are Digital Dermoscopy and Digital Mole Mapping. More specifically, the moles (nevi) are recorded in detail with a Digital Dermoscope and stored in a file, so that they can be compared in future examinations to identify any changes.

The signs that everyone should watch out for (also known as the ABCDE rule) to identify suspicious moles (nevi) are:

-The Asymmetry of the Mole’s Shape (A-> Asymmetry)

-The Anomaly of the Mole’s Border Limits (B-> Border)

-The Mole’s Color Unevenness (C-> Color)

-The Change of the Mole’s Size (D-> Diameter)

-The Evolution of the Mole’s Size (E-> Evolution)

Significant attention should be paid to:

-In new moles

-In moles that appear differences from the rest ones

For the Prevention of Skin Cancer, it is important:

-To Use Sunscreen during all year long

-To Avoid the sea at noon

-To choose shady places

-To use hats, sunscreen and sunglasses