3 Common Forms of Skin Cancer a Dentist Should Be Aware of

Introduction

Contrary to popular belief, a dermatologist may not be the first person to detect skin cancer. Instead, your dentist might play a major role in identifying the early stages of skin cancer.

Due to the nature and proximity of clinical examinations conducted by dentists, they have an opportunity to detect abnormal growths in your face and neck area, which are often subjected to skin lesions. When your dentist examines your oral health, they can visually detect any unusual skin growths, especially in your mouth area, which might signal oral cancer as well.

In Singapore, skin cancer is the 6th and 7th most common cancer for Singaporean males and females respectively.

Unlike other types of cancer, skin cancer is highly detectable in its early stages. A simple visual scan of your skin may likely indicate the possibility of skin cancer.

Here are 3 common forms of skin cancer and their symptoms that a dentist should be aware of:

1. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. BCC develops in the basal cells, which are responsible for producing new skin cells as old ones die off.

BCC typically develops on skin frequently exposed to the sun, such as your face, head and neck. The growths usually do not heal naturally.

Common signs of BCC include: