Can you live for 10 years with skin cancer?

Yes, one can live for 10 years with skin cancer. Survival rates may vary from person to person because of different factors including type and stage of skin cancer. This guide will cover the other factors and essential details about the survival of skin cancer.

Everyone’s body is different so is the response to the disease. The effect of disease on the body and how you are responding to the treatment may vary from others. The treatment can be done effectively if the skin cancer is caught at an early stage. To increase the survival rate of skin cancer, this guide will provide you with some tips.

Skin Cancer Types And Their Survival Rates: What You Need To Know

The survival rates for skin cancer depend on the type, stage and how early it is detected. There are different types of skin cancer. We will understand these and their survival rates.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that happens when the DNA of basal cells in the skin’s epidermis is damaged. It is the most common type of skin cancer. It usually appears as a small, shiny bump or flat, scaly patch on the skin. This can grow gradually and also appears as a slightly transparent bump.

BCCs are often found on areas of the body that are exposed to sunlight such as the head, neck, face and arms. It can be cured if caught early. It rarely spreads to other parts of the body.

Survival Rate

The five-year survival rate is 100% in BCC. If you can detect it early, your survival rates will increase. Most BCC cancers respond well to treatment and the cure rate is 85-95%.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma is also a common type of skin cancer and develops in the squamous cells of the epidermis (the skin’s outermost layer). It can appear as a firm red bump, a scaly red patch, an open sore or a wart.

Areas of the skin that have been exposed to sunlight or artificial sunlight are more likely to face this type of skin cancer. Areas included are the face, ears, neck, arms or back of the hands. If you have a history of multiple skin burns or fair skin, you are more likely to develop SCC.

Survival Rates

If diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate for SCC is around 99%. Even if SCC has spread to nearby lymph nodes, it can be treated with a combination of surgery and radiation. It is more curable if detected early.

Melanoma

Melanoma type of skin cancer develops when melanocytes, the cells responsible for giving skin its colour, grow out of control. A new spot or changes in an existing one can be signs of this cancer type. Melanoma’s colour is often blue-black, pink or red.

Melanoma is the rarest and most dangerous type of skin cancer in comparison to basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The reason behind this is it can spread to other parts of the body if not treated on time.

Excessive exposure to the sun can be the main reason behind developing melanoma. Artificial sources like tanning beds can also become the reason behind melanoma development.

Survival Rates

The survival rate for melanoma depends on the stage of the cancer at which it is diagnosed. The survival rate can fall under 35-100%.

Can You Live For 10 Years With Melanoma?

Although melanoma is the rare and most dangerous type of skin cancer, you can live for 10 years with melanoma, especially if detected and treated early.

Understand survival rates by stage:

• Stage IA: 95%

• Stage IB: 86%

• Stage IIA: 67%

• Stage IIB: 57%

• Stage IIC: 40%

• Stage IIIA: 68%

• Stage IIIB: 43%

• Stage IIIC: 24%

• Stage IV: 10-15%

Treatment on time can cure melanoma in many cases, especially if it is caught early by your healthcare provider. Treatments may include surgical procedures, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Melanoma can be highly curable if detected early. Prevention and early treatment are especially important for people who have fair skin, blonde or red hair and blue eyes.

How Can You Increase The Survival Rates In Skin Cancer?

Here are some tips to increase the survival rates of skin cancer:

• Avoid sun exposure by wearing protective clothing, using shades and applying sunscreen. You must also avoid indoor tanning beds.
• Perform self-examination per month and report any suspicious spots or changes in the mole. You must also visit for a professional skin cancer examination.
• A balanced diet may help prevent cancer. You should consider eating more vegetables, drinking tea and eating fish weekly.

Treatments like skin lesion removal can help you remove the areas of the skin which may be cancerous. Ask a professional and get the right treatment option.