Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer both in New Zealand and worldwide. It is caused by exposure to the sun. BCCs grow slowly on the skin and are easily treated and cured if caught early.
The lesions commonly arise in sun-exposed areas of the body, most commonly faces, ears, heads, arms, and legs. In patients with darker skin, BCCs can be pigmented (meaning brown in colour).
BCCs are easily and successfully treated if caught early, and rarely become invasive; left untreated however they can grow bigger and deeper in the skin.
How will I know if I have a BCC?
BCCs can vary in presentation from pink growths, open sores that are not healing, shiny bumps, scars, or growths with slightly elevated, rolled edges and a central indentation.
On occasion, BCCs can crust, itch, or bleed.
How can I prevent BCC’s?
Having one BCC means that you may develop more. Come and see one of our team who can discuss your individual skin cancer risks, diagnose lesions and give you a personal treatment plan.
It’s best to diagnose and treat BCC’s early before they become more widespread.
Prevention is key – Protecting yourself from sun / Ultraviolet exposure will help prevent further sun damage.
- Avoid direct sunlight during times of peak UV radiation levels; particularly from 10 am to 4 pm between September and April and do not get sunburned.
- Protection of exposed areas of skin using appropriate, densely-woven clothing, e.g. long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed or flapped hats, UV-protective sunglasses (ideally wrap-around style)
- Application of broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen (at least SPF30* and preferably SPF50+); it is recommended that sunscreen is applied 20 minutes before going outside, reapplied 10–20 minutes after going outside (the “two coat” approach), and every two hours after that
- Unnecessary UV radiation exposure via artificial tanning device use, e.g. sunbeds, should be avoided unless under medical supervision for certain health conditions e.g. psoriasis.
See our Sunscreens page for more information.
Source: https://bpac.org.nz/
