Detecting between Age Spots and Skin Cancer Signs: A Guide on Distinction
Layman's Guide to Age Spots vs. Skin Cancer:
Growing older means dealing with the occasional unsightly mark on our skin, but it's essential to know the difference between age spots and skin cancer. Both can appear similar, but there's a crucial distinction.
Age Spots and Melanin Magic 🚀
Let's talk about age spots, also known as solar lentigines or liver spots. These harmless little guys are the result of your body producing an excess of melanin to protect your skin from sun damage. They typically develop from middle age onwards and can be found on areas usually exposed to the sun, like your face, hands, and shoulders. Age spots are usually flat, smooth, and have a light to dark brown color with well-defined borders [1].
Skin Cancer: The Ugly Truth 😈
Now for the not-so-friendly skin cancer. It's essential to understand that skin cancer is harmful and can spread if not treated early. Similar to age spots, skin cancer is most likely to grow in areas exposed to sunlight, thanks to the damage caused by UV radiation. Unlike age spots, skin cancer is caused by mutated skin cells that grow and spread rapidly [1].
The most common types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. A less harmful precancerous growth, actinic keratosis, can sometimes be mistaken for age spots. If left untreated, actinic keratosis may develop into skin cancer [1].
Spot the Difference
In the realm of dermatology, seniors might encounter both age spots and skin cancer, both potentially appearing on areas exposed to the sun. While age spots, like solar lentigines orliver spots, are caused by an excess of melanin to protect skin from sun damage, skin cancer is harmful and originates from mutated skin cells that grow and spread rapidly. Unlike age spots, which are typically flat, smooth, and have well-defined borders, medical-conditions such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma in oncology pose a threat to health-and-wellness if not promptly addressed by science. Keep in mind that actinic keratosis, a precancerous growth, may sometimes resemble age spots, making it crucial for seniors to prioritize skin-care and skin-conditions education.
