<p>For a very good&nbsp; overview of skin cancer/melanoma, try the National Comprehensive Cancer Networks patient guide.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nccn.com/images/patient-guidelines/pdf/melanoma.pdf">Here is a quick link</a>&nbsp;and you&#146;ll probably want to start about page 7.
</p><h2>Pre-Cancers</h2>
<strong>Actinic Keratosis</strong> or AK is a very common skin problem that must be treated before it becomes a more serious form of Skin Cancer. For more information try<a href="http://www.skincancer.org/actinic-keratosis-and-other-precancers.html">&nbsp;this link</a>&nbsp;from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
<h2>Basal Cell Carcinoma</h2>
<strong>BCC</strong> is a non-Melanoma Skin Cancer and the most common skin cancer in the US and the face is the most common place to find basal cell skin cancer.&nbsp;&nbsp;For a quick over view click on this link at &nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/basal-cell-carcinoma">American Academy of Dermatology.</a>&nbsp; For a more detailed description and treatment options try this link at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/adult/basal-cell-carcinoma/about-basal-cell-carcinoma">Memorial Sloan Kettering</a>.
<h2>Squamous Cell Carcinoma</h2>
<strong>Squamous cell carcinoma</strong> is a type of skin cancer. Skin cancer falls into two groups: nonmelanoma and melanoma. Squamous cell is a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer. More information on Squamous Cell Carcinoma can be found at the National Library of Medicine, click&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001832/">here</a>.

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<h2>Understanding Skin Cancer&nbsp;or Melanoma</h2>
<h3>Warning signs:</h3>
Moles, brown spots and growths on the skin are usually harmless &#151; but not always. Anyone who has more than 100 moles is at greater risk for melanoma. The first signs can appear in one or more atypical moles. That&#146;s why it&#146;s so important to get to know your skin very well and to recognize any changes in the moles on your body. Look for the&nbsp;<strong>ABCDE</strong>s of melanoma, and if you see one or more, make an appointment with a physician immediately.

<img alt="alt" src="http://americancancerfund.org/images/stories/asymmetry.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>A</strong>symmetric:&nbsp; If you draw a line through this mole, the two halves will not match.
<p dir="ltr"><img alt="alt" src="http://americancancerfund.org/images/stories/border.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>B</strong>order:&nbsp;&nbsp;The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><img alt="alt" src="http://americancancerfund.org/images/stories/color.jpg">&nbsp;<strong>C</strong>olor:&nbsp; Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. A melanoma may also become red, blue or some other color.</p>
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<strong>&nbsp;<img alt="alt" src="http://americancancerfund.org/images/stories/diameter.jpg">&nbsp;D</strong>iameter:&nbsp; Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of the eraser on your pencil (1/4 inch or 6 mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.

<strong><img alt="alt" src="http://americancancerfund.org/images/stories/evolving.jpg">&nbsp;E</strong>volving:&nbsp; Any change &#151; in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting &#151; points to danger.

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<a title="Skin Cancer &#150; Melanoma Pix" href="http://americancancerfund.org/skin-cancer-melanoma-pix/">More pictures.</a>

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<a title="Skin Cancer" href="http://americancancerfund.org/skin-cancer/">Skin Cancer Types</a>