You may have read in the news that President Joe Biden recently had a skin cancer removed. Curious to learn more? Read on to learn all about what basal cell carcinomas are, how to prevent them, and how to treat them!

Basal cell carcinomas are the #1 most common type of cancer worldwide. They are caused by UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds, so the best way to prevent basal cell carcinomas is by protecting your skin from the sun and avoiding tanning beds. We recommend wearing a daily facial moisturizer with SPF 15-30, and if you are outdoors for more than 20 minutes, wear a sunscreen that is SPF 50+.

After prevention, the next best thing is to catch them early! Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are a slow-growing cancer that very rarely spreads to other parts of the body. However it is still important to catch them early. When a BCC is caught in its early stages, it can often be treated with just a topical chemotherapy cream or a simple procedure, but larger BCCs need to be excised surgically. Book your skin cancer exam today to catch any BCCs or other skin cancers before they become a problem!