Basal Cell Carcinoma: What Everyone Should Know About the Most Common Skin Cancer
May 02, 2026
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and that means now is the ideal time to educate yourself about basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer in the United States. Millions of Americans are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma each year, and even though it’s the least dangerous type of skin cancer, you need to take it seriously.
Understanding what it looks like, how it develops, and why early detection matters can protect your health, and our team at Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center is here to help.
Basal cell carcinoma develops in your skin’s basal cells. Basal cells line the deepest layer of the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of your skin. They’re constantly producing new skin cells that push older cells toward the surface. But when DNA damage occurs, these basal cells begin growing abnormally and form cancerous lesions.
Basal cell DNA damage is almost always due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure from the sun. BCC grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of your body, which is why it's considered the least aggressive skin cancer.
However, "slow-growing" doesn't mean harmless. Left untreated, basal cell carcinoma can invade surrounding tissue, including bone and cartilage, causing significant damage and disfigurement, especially when it develops on your face.
When caught early, basal cell carcinoma is highly treatable with excellent cure rates. Small lesions can often be removed with minimal scarring during simple in-office procedures. The longer you wait, the larger the cancer grows and the more extensive the treatment required.
Advanced basal cell carcinoma that invades deeper tissues may require more aggressive surgical intervention, skin grafting, or reconstructive procedures. In rare cases where the cancer has been neglected for years, it can invade vital structures like bone and become life-threatening.
You need to know what to look for during skin self-examinations because early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes and reduces scarring. Basal cell carcinoma can appear in several different forms, and it doesn't always look obviously dangerous.
You might notice a pearly or waxy bump on sun-exposed areas like your face, ears, or neck. The bump may have visible blood vessels and it could be pink, red, brown, or the same color as your surrounding skin. Sometimes, it can look more like a white, waxy, scar-like lesion that appears without any previous injury.
Basal cell carcinoma can also look like a flat, scaly, reddish patch that grows slowly over time. You might mistake it for eczema or a persistent dry spot that won't heal despite moisturizing. Some basal cell carcinomas may also appear as sores that bleed, ooze, crust over, partially heal, then repeat the cycle.
Anyone can get skin cancer, but certain factors can increase your risk of basal cell carcinoma. Your risk for basal cell carcinoma is higher if you have fair skin that burns easily, light-colored eyes, blond or red hair, or a history of significant sun exposure.
You're more susceptible if you've had severe sunburns, especially during childhood, you spent considerable time outdoors without sun protection, or you’ve used tanning beds. Your risk also increases with age, as cumulative sun damage builds over decades.
And if you have a personal history of skin cancer or a family history of basal cell carcinoma, you need to be especially vigilant about screening and sun protection.
At Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive skin cancer screenings to detect basal cell carcinoma and other skin cancers in their earliest, most treatable stages. During your screening, we examine your entire body for suspicious lesions, use advanced imaging when needed, and perform biopsies on any concerning areas.
We send the biopsies to a lab, where the sample is evaluated for cancerous cells. If we detect cancer, we develop an appropriate treatment plan for you. We treat all types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma.
Options range from topical medications for very superficial lesions to surgical excision, Mohs surgery for cancers in cosmetically sensitive areas, and other advanced therapies tailored to your specific diagnosis.
This Skin Cancer Awareness Month, commit to regular self-examinations and annual professional skin checks. Your skin health is worth protecting, and early detection makes all the difference in your treatment outcome and long-term results. Learn more with an appointment at Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center in Teaneck, New Jersey. Call 201-836-9696 or use online booking to schedule a visit today.