There are three types of skin cancer most frequently found in fair skinned individuals. These include basal cell carcinomas (the most common), squamous cell carcinomas and malignant melanoma (least common).
The sun is the leading cause of these skin cancers. The damage caused by chronic sun exposure and repeat sun burn as a child and adolescent persists long after the burn and tan have faded. Twenty to forty years later, after repeated small doses of sunshine, these cancers may sprout like weeds in a lawn.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer seen in practice. It is highly correlated with amount of sun exposure and often begins as a tiny pearly pink bump . It is persistent, grows slowly and may eventually bleed and break down . It may also appear as a shiny scar like area. Men often complain of a bump that is repeatedly nicked while shaving. Fortunately these cancers are cured by destruction or removal.