A Closer Look: Different Types of Skin Cancer and How to Identify Them

When you swim or play in the ocean, you typically take a few precautions.

You watch for riptides. You’re aware of the undertow. You follow the lifeguard’s instructions.

But do you reapply your sunscreen regularly, especially after being in the water? 

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. In fact, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the time they’re 80. Using sunscreen is one of the many precautions you can take to minimize your risk of developing a type of skin cancer.

At Conway Medical Center, Dr. Galimberti and Dr. Li– our husband-and-wife team of dermatologists— provide regular skin cancer screenings and also perform Mohs surgery. Mohs is a procedure where skin cancer is removed while healthy tissue remains undisturbed. If you have discovered a spot and you’re not sure if it’s skin cancer, we urge you to schedule an appointment with our health care team. Simply speak to your primary care provider for a referral.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of skin cancer, what increases your risk, and how to protect your skin.

What Are the Different Types of Skin Cancer?

The different types of skin cancer include:

Basal Cell Carcinoma

These form in the lower layer of your epidermis. The epidermis is your outer layer of skin. Your skin is comprised of three levels: The epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. Basal cells are types of cells that produce new skin cells.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

These form on the outer layer of your epidermis. This is the outside layer of your skin.

Melanoma

This is a serious type of skin cancer. It forms in cells called melanocytes. These produce the pigment that gives your skin its specific shade and color.

What Does Skin Cancer Look Like? (ABCDE Rule)

So, how can you tell the difference between skin cancer and a mole? Often, it’s very difficult, and that’s where our leading dermatologists can help. Through decades of experience and expertise, they can discover, diagnose and treat skin cancers, providing definite answers for your questions and concerns. 

When caught early, skin cancer is at its most treatable and beatable stage. You may have heard of the ABCDE rule. This is a memory device that can help you determine if you have an area that requires closer examination by a dermatologist.

Following the ABCDE rule can help you find questionable areas that could be a type of skin cancer.

The ABCDE Rule

• A stands for asymmetry. Be on the lookout for areas that have an irregular shape.
• B stands for border. See a doctor if the area has irregular or blurry edges.
• C is for color. Another warning sign of skin cancer is having a mole with more than one color.
• D is for diameter. Be wary of any spot larger than 6 mm (larger than a pencil eraser.
• E stands for evolution. Has the area changed in appearance? Is it a different color, shape or size? This is one of the most important factors for early detection. 

If you find an area that looks suspicious, you should schedule an appointment with one of our dermatologists in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. If there’s a questionable area, don’t guess—get reliable answers from our health care team. 

Because skin cancer is so common, and it’s so vital to catch it earlier, we recommend annual skin cancer screenings from one of our dermatologists.

What Are the Risk Factors for Skin Cancer?

Spending extensive time outdoors in the sun is one of the main risk factors for all types of skin cancer. 

Others include:

• Having a history of sunburns, particularly if you’ve had five or more
• Burning easily
• Tanning regularly, especially if using tanning beds
• Living in a sunny climate
• Living at a high altitude
• Having a fair complexion with light-colored eyes, blond or red hair.
• Having a lot of moles, particularly ones that are irregularly shaped (see our ABCDEs of skin cancer mentioned earlier)
• Having precancerous skin growths known as actinic keratosis
• Having a family history of skin cancer
• Having a weakened immune system or taking immunosuppressant medicines
• Having an organ transplant
• Having UV light therapy

How Can You Lower Your Risk of Skin Cancer?

Our Dermatologists Provide These Skin Cancer Prevention Tips:

There are some risk factors you can’t control, such as your family medical history and your complexion. However, there are some proactive steps you can take to prevent the likelihood that you will develop a type of skin cancer. 

These skin cancer prevention tips include:

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Remember to apply it 30 minutes before you go outside and reapply it regularly.
• Use sunscreen even when the sky is cloudy. Also, use it during the winter. 
• Protect your skin with clothing: wear hats with wide brims and long-sleeve shirts and pants. 
• Wear sunglasses that block both UV-B and UV-A rays.
• Protect your lips by using lip balm that contains sunscreen. 
• Be aware that some medications may make you more sensitive to sunlight. If you’re not sure, speak with your prescribing health care provider. 
• Avoid the sun when it is strongest, which is typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Do not use tanning beds. Remember that there is no such thing as a “healthy” tan.
• Perform regular self-exams, using the ABCDEs we discussed earlier.
• Schedule regular skin cancer screenings with one of our dermatologists.

Types of Skin Cancer: By the Numbers

The American Cancer Society has compiled a comprehensive set of statistics on the various types of skin cancer, their incidence rates, and their impact on long-term health.

These numbers reveal some important insights: 

• Skin cancers are the most common types of cancer in the United States. 

• • 5.4 million basal and squamous cell cancers are diagnosed each year. About 8 in 10 of these cancers are basal cell cancers because squamous cell cancers don’t occur as often.
  • An estimated 104,960 new melanomas will be diagnosed in 2025, and 8,430 are expected to die from melanoma.
• Thanks to advancements in treatment, the death rates from melanoma have declined steadily from 2013 to 2022.
• Every hour, more than two people die of skin cancer.

Take a Proactive Approach to Skin Cancer Prevention With Conway Medical Center’s Dermatologists

Skin cancer is the most common cancer, and it affects millions of Americans. Fortunately, taking a few proactive steps can help you detect it early, when it is most treatable. 

Conway Medical Center has been helping safeguard the health of the Myrtle Beach and Horry County communities for nearly 100 years. Through the decades, we’ve combined state-of-the-art medicine with compassionate care.

Did you find a suspicious place on your skin? Overdue for your skin cancer screening? You can speak to your primary care provider for a referral. You can schedule an appointment with your primary care provider via the CMC Care App or the patient portal.