Bad News Comes in Threes

The most important warning signs of skin cancer are new growths and changes to existing growths. Wounds that don't heal or that recur in the same spot can also be giveaways. Detecting skin cancer early is key to ensuring easy removal. There are three kinds of skin cancer:

Basal cell carcinoma , the most common form, usually appears as a small, fleshy bump or nodule. It does not grow quickly and rarely spreads. But it can cause significant local damage if untreated.

Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears as a nodule or as a red, scaly patch. It can develop into large masses and/or spread to other parts of the body; some forms grow quickly.

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because once it advances and spreads to other parts of the body, it is nearly impossible to treat and is often fatal. If detected early, however, it is almost always curable. Warning signs include changes in the surface of a mole; scaliness; oozing; bleeding; spread of pigment to the surrounding skin; and change of sensation, including itching, tenderness or pain.

Free skin cancer screenings will be offered Saturday, May 6 by the American Academy of Dermatology. To find a participating dermatologist, log on to the Academy's Web site at http://www.aad.org/ or call 1-888-452-DERM.