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Writer's pictureShelley Silverwood

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)...as bad as melanoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma (or SCC) is the 2nd most common skin cancer. We worry about this type of skin cancer just as much as a melanoma as it can spread around the body. Some areas of the body are particularly high risk for spread including the scalp (in men), ears, lips, hands and genitalia.

*SCC's can also develop in other parts of the body but we are specifically discussing SCC of the skin here.


What is a skin cancer?

Skin cancer is cancer that begins on the skin.

Like the rest of your body, the skin is made of tiny 'building blocks' called cells.

Skin cancer begins when these cells are damaged, for example, by the sun, and they become cancerous (Cancer Society, 2023)


Just to compare the different skin cancers, the image below explains what level of the skin they develop in.



What causes the cells to be damaged (and to cause an SCC)?

The biggest cause is UVR (ultraviolet radiation).

Repeated exposure to UVR causes changes in the DNA of the cells of the skin.

We think that the biggest risk is having a history of multiple sunburns specifically the type that cause blistering and peeling.

SCC's appear mostly on sun exposed sites or sites that are regularly burned through a person's lifetime.


What does an SCC look like?

SCC’s quite often suddenly appear, usually beginning as a ‘crusty’ lesion that may be sore. Some typical features are:

  • a nodular lesion

  • an ulcerated sore

  • a lesion that easily bleeds

  • an enlarging lesion (they tend to grow rapidly)

  • are often tender to touch

  • located on sun exposed sites such as the top of the head, ears, lips, nose, arms

SCCs can sometimes spread around your body (metastasise) so we take these lesions as seriously as melanomas if we think you have one.


How do you treat a SCC?

There are several different types of SCC so treatment will depend on what type you have. Some treatment options include:

  • surgical removal is the preferred method for SCCs because of their risk of spreading

  • Moh’s surgery for SCCs on the head and neck area

  • liquid nitrogen or topical creams for more superficial variants

  • radiotherapy if surgery is contraindicated

How do you prevent getting a SCC?

Because UVR is the biggest risk factor, practicing sun safe behaviour EVERYDAY will reduce your risk. This includes:

  • wearing your sunscreen (head & neck) EVERYDAY - because even small bouts of sun exposure can add up e.g. going from your car to work to home etc, walking the dog, driving your car, sitting in the sun indoors

  • UVA penetrates through the clouds and glass so even if you are indoors, you potentially can get the damaging effects of UVA

  • wear a wide brimmed hat when outside

  • wear clothes with UV protection - don't forget to sunscreen your hands!

  • wear sunglasses

  • avoid tanning (outside or sunbeds) whether you are wearing sunscreen or not

A little bit of sun is essential for Vitamin D but make it is before 10am in the morning or after 4pm in the winter and 6pm in the summer.


Make sure you are wearing a sunscreen with good UVA and UVB protection. Now that the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act 2022 has been passed, we can be more sure that what we are buying does what it actually says it does but if unsure, check with your local cancer society, health provider, or nurse educator.


If you have a spot that is NEW, changing or you're not sure - get it checked. SKiNTUITION offers 'spot checks' using dermoscopy to analyse the lesion for you.


IF IN DOUBT, CHECK IT OUT!



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