Basal Cell Carcinoma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Basal cell carcinoma (kahr-si-NOH-mah) or "BCC" is a slow growing type of skin cancer. Skin cancer occurs when cancer cells are found in the outer layers of the skin. Common warning signs include a sore that does not heal or a new raised bump on the skin, called a tumor. Tumors are often cancer cells that have clumped together to form a bump or a lump. BCC can usually be cured when treated. Most of the time you can be treated in your caregiver's office. You may also need to go to the hospital for tests or treatment.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• Topical chemotherapy: Your caregiver may give you this medicine is to put on areas of your skin that have BCC. Avoid putting this medicine on the healthy parts of your skin. If the chemo spreads onto your healthy skin, use soap and water to wash it off the healthy skin right away. If the medicine gets on your clothes, wash your clothes right away.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

How can I take care of my skin? There are many things you can do to keep your skin healthy. Healthy skin protects you against heat, light, infections, and injuries, and stores water, fat, and vitamin D.

• Do not use tanning booths. These can damage your skin as much as the sun.
  
  
• Look for new bumps on your skin once a month.
  
  
  • A mole is a small, dark bump on the skin. Most normal moles appear on your skin by the time you are 30 to 40 years old. A mole that shows up after 30 years of age should be watched closely for changes. Know what your regular birthmarks and moles look like.
    
    
  • Check all parts of your body. Skin cancer can also grow on the skin that is not in the sun. These include your scalp, and between your toes and buttocks (rear-end). Also look for moles on the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, or your lips and gums. Women should check the skin around your vagina monthly.
    
    
  • The best time to look for new bumps is after a shower or bath. Make sure you do this in a room that has good light. Use either a full-length mirror or a mirror you can hold.
  
  
• Protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
  
  
  • Wear sunscreen that has an SPF (sun protectant factor) of 15 or higher. The sunscreen should also have UVA and UVB protection. Follow the directions on the label when using sunscreen. Reapply (put on more) sunscreen if you are in the sun for more than an hour. Also reapply sunscreen often if you go swimming or are sweating a lot.
    
    
  • Stay out of the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM. The sun is strongest and most damaging to your skin between these times. The sun is also strongest in the summer. Sun reflecting off of snow, concrete, or sand can be harmful too.
    
    
  • Protect your lips by using lipsticks and lip balms that have sunscreen in them.
    
    
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your arms and legs when you are out in the sun. Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect both your face and neck.
    
    
  • It is very important for parents to protect their children's skin from sun exposure and burns.
  
  
• Follow these simple rules to protect your skin.
  
  
  • Stay out of the sun or protect your skin whenever your shadow is shorter than you are.
    
    
  • Put on sunscreen when you put on your sunglasses. Wear sunglasses also with UVA and UVB protection.
    
    
  • Slip! Slop! Slap! Slip on a shirt, slop on the sunscreen, and slap on a hat!

For support and information:

• Accepting that you have cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings and let them help you. Encourage those close to you to talk to your caregiver about how things are at home. Your caregiver can help your family better understand how to support to a person with cancer.
  
  
• You may also want to join a cancer support group. Ask your caregiver for the names and numbers of support groups. Contact one of the following national organizations for more information.

• American Cancer Society
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  Phone: 1-800-422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

• The Skin Cancer Foundation
  245 5th Avenue, Suite 1403
  New York, NY 10016
  Phone: 1-800-754-6490
  Web Address: www.skincancer.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have signs of infection at the biopsy site, including redness, pain, or pus.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your cancer, treatment, or medicine

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• You have chest pain.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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