So You Have Skin Cancer: What Your Diagnosis Means and What Comes Next
Hearing that a biopsy came back positive is unsettling, but most people diagnosed with skin cancer have a common, highly treatable form. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are usually cured when treated early, and melanoma caught before it spreads has an excellent outlook.
At Perfect Skin MD in Juno Beach, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Susan Schroeder diagnoses and treats these cancers herself.
If you live in Florida or spend much of the year here, you are not alone. Year-round sun exposure makes these diagnoses common across Jupiter, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and all of Palm Beach County. This guide, updated for 2026, explains what your diagnosis means, which warning signs to watch for, and what treatment and recovery usually involve.
The Main Types of Skin Cancer
Four cancers account for most diagnoses a dermatologist makes: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. They start in different cells, grow at different speeds, and carry different levels of risk. The American Academy of Dermatology guide to common skin cancer types notes that about 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed every day.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of cancer of the skin. It often looks like a round, pearly or shiny bump, or a raised, scaly patch that does not heal. BCC tends to grow slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but it can damage surrounding tissue if left untreated, which is why prompt treatment matters, especially on the face.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form. It often begins as a rough, scaly patch, a firm dome-shaped growth, or a sore that does not heal, and it frequently appears on sun-exposed areas such as the scalp, ears, lips, and hands. Some SCCs develop from precancerous spots called actinic keratoses. Most are cured with early treatment, but some behave more aggressively and can spread.
Melanoma
Melanoma is less common than BCC or SCC but is the most serious of the common forms because it is more likely to spread. The American Cancer Society estimates for melanoma project about 112,000 new invasive melanomas and about 8,510 deaths in the United States in 2026. Melanoma can appear as a new spot or develop within an existing mole.
The ABCDEs of Melanoma
The American Academy of Dermatology ABCDEs of melanoma are a simple way to check your moles:
- A, Asymmetry: One half of the spot is unlike the other half.
- B, Border: The border is irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
- C, Color: The color varies, with shades of tan, brown, or black, or areas of white, red, or blue.
- D, Diameter: Melanomas are often larger than 6 mm, about the size of a pencil eraser, though they can be smaller.
- E, Evolving: The spot looks different from the others or is changing in size, shape, or color.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma is rare, with about 2,000 cases diagnosed in the United States each year, but it is aggressive and has a tendency to spread and to return after treatment. According to the American Academy of Dermatology overview of Merkel cell carcinoma, nearly everyone who develops it is 50 or older, and it can be mistaken for a pimple or cyst. A fast-growing, painless, firm red or purple bump deserves prompt evaluation.
Early Warning Signs and When to Get Your Skin Checked
Most skin cancers found early are highly treatable, so the goal is to notice changes quickly and have them evaluated. A spot does not need to be painful, large, or dark to be a concern.
What to Watch for on Your Own Skin
- A new spot, especially after age 30
- A mole that is changing in size, shape, or color
- A spot that looks different from your other moles, sometimes called the “ugly duckling” sign
- A sore that does not heal, or heals and returns
- A spot that itches, bleeds, crusts, or oozes
- A shiny, pearly, or firm bump that keeps growing
Clinicians also use a 7-point checklist for assessing pigmented skin lesions, which weighs changes in size, border, and color alongside itching, inflammation, crusting, and diameter. If you notice any of these signs, schedule a full-body skin evaluation rather than waiting for your next routine visit.
Timing matters. The American Cancer Society melanoma survival rates by stage show a 5-year relative survival rate above 99% for localized melanoma, 76% when it has reached nearby lymph nodes, and 36% once it has spread to distant organs, based on people diagnosed from 2015 to 2021.
Treatment Options After a Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Treatment is planned based on the specific diagnosis in your pathology report. For most basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, treatment is a straightforward office procedure. Melanoma and higher-risk tumors may require wider surgery, additional testing, or coordination with other specialists.
How Your Treatment Is Chosen
Dr. Schroeder considers the type of skin cancer, its size, depth, and location, whether it has returned after earlier treatment, and your overall health. On the face and other cosmetically sensitive areas, she also plans the removal to protect appearance and function as much as possible.
Common Treatment Options
- Surgical excision: The tumor is removed with a margin of healthy tissue and sent to pathology to confirm clear edges.
- Mohs surgery: A tissue-sparing technique, offered by referral, for high-risk tumors or those in delicate areas such as the nose, eyelids, and lips.
- Curettage and electrodesiccation: Scraping and cauterizing, used for select small, superficial tumors.
- Topical therapy or cryotherapy: Used for certain precancerous or very superficial lesions.
- Reconstruction: Repair of the site after removal to restore a natural appearance.
- Specialist care for advanced disease: Melanoma or Merkel cell carcinoma that has spread may be treated by oncology teams with options such as immunotherapy.
Learn more about skin cancer removal and treatment and reconstruction after removal at Perfect Skin MD.
Recovery and Follow-Up Care
Most patients return to light daily activity within a day or two after office surgery. Stitches, if used, are typically removed within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the location. Once you have had skin cancer, your risk of developing another is higher, so regular follow-up exams are an important part of your care. If a scar remains noticeable after healing, scar revision surgery may help.
Protecting Your Skin After Treatment
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, and reapply outdoors
- Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses
- Seek shade, especially during midday hours
- Avoid tanning beds
- Check your skin monthly and keep your scheduled exams
Skin Cancer Care in Juno Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
Patients choose Perfect Skin MD for their care because:
- Dr. Schroeder treats you herself. She performs your exam, biopsy, and surgery. Your care is not delegated.
- Board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. Dr. Schroeder is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology with fellowship training in cosmetic and surgical dermatology. You can meet Dr. Susan Schroeder to learn more.
- Attention to appearance. Removal is planned with both cancer control and cosmetic outcome in mind.
- Time to ask questions. The Direct Patient Care model allows unhurried visits after a diagnosis.
What does skin cancer look like when it just starts?
Early lesions often look minor. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, basal cell carcinoma often looks like a round, pearly or shiny bump or a raised, scaly patch, while squamous cell carcinoma often starts as a rough, scaly patch, a firm dome-shaped growth, or a sore that does not heal. Early melanoma is often a new or changing mole with one or more ABCDE features.
Is skin cancer curable?
Most cases are curable when found and treated early. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are highly treatable at early stages, and the American Cancer Society reports a 5-year relative survival rate above 99% for melanoma that has not spread beyond where it started. Outcomes are less favorable once cancer spreads, which is why early diagnosis matters.
What are the 7 warning signs of skin cancer?
There is no single official list of seven, but a widely used clinical tool is the 7-point checklist for pigmented spots. Its major signs are a change in size, an irregular border, and irregular color. Its minor signs are inflammation, itching or altered sensation, a diameter larger than 7 mm, and oozing or crusting. A sore that does not heal is another important warning sign.
How early do you have to catch skin cancer?
There is no exact deadline, but outcomes are best when cancer is treated while it is still confined to where it started. For melanoma, the American Cancer Society reports 5-year relative survival above 99% at the localized stage, compared with 36% once it has spread to distant parts of the body. Any new, changing, or non-healing spot deserves a prompt dermatology visit.
What happens after a biopsy confirms cancer?
Dr. Schroeder reviews the pathology report with you, explains the diagnosis in plain language, and recommends a treatment plan based on the tumor type, size, depth, and location. Most basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas can be treated in the office. Melanoma or high-risk tumors may involve additional testing or coordination with other specialists.
Will I have a scar after treatment?
Most surgical treatments leave some scar, but careful technique and closure can make it far less noticeable. Scars usually soften and fade over several months. When a larger area of tissue is removed, reconstruction and, if needed, later scar revision can help restore a natural appearance.
How often should I get skin exams after a diagnosis?
People who have had skin cancer are at higher risk of developing another, so regular full-body exams are important. Your follow-up schedule depends on the tumor type and your personal risk factors, and it is often more frequent in the first few years after treatment. Monthly self-exams at home are also recommended.
If you have been diagnosed or have a spot that concerns you, call 561-462-1965 or book an appointment online. Perfect Skin MD is located at 790 Juno Ocean Walk, Suite 203-C, Juno Beach, FL 33408, and serves Jupiter, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Palm Beach County.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. It does not create a physician-patient relationship. Diagnosis and treatment decisions depend on your pathology results, health history, and in-person evaluation by a qualified medical provider. If you notice a new, changing, or bleeding spot, see a dermatologist promptly.
