BASAL CELL CARCINOMA

Patient Education

Kyle Oleksak, 6/12/2023

 Target Audience
 Newly diagnosed individuals with BCC and family members
 Patients with family history of skin cancer
 People with history of sun burns
 People that have used tanning beds
 People with concerning skin lesions
 Objectives

 Appropriately educate affected and/or interested individuals about

basal cell carcinoma.
 Educate patients on management of basal cell carcinoma.
 Educate patients in prevention of basal cell carcinoma
 Educate patients on what to look for and when to notify a physician
 GOALs
 The patient can identify 3 signs of basal cell carcinoma
 The patient can identify 2 methods of skin cancer prevention
 The patient will express the importance of follow up appointments
 The patient can verbalize how and when to contact the healthcare
provider
 The patient can identify one treatment for basal cell carcinoma
 What is Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of cancer and millions of
patients are diagnosed every year. It is slow moving and often does not
spread; therefore, it is easily treatable with early detection. It forms from
damaged DNA from UV light and most likely occurs on sun exposed skin.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation (2022), “BCC most often occurs
when DNA damage from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the
sun or indoor tanning triggers changes in basal cells in the outermost layer
of skin (epidermis), resulting in uncontrolled growth”.
 Risk Factors
 UV exposure from the sun or indoor tanning
 History of skin cancer
 Age over 50
 Fair skin
 Male gender
 Infections and/or skin inflammation from burns, scars and other
conditions
 What To Look For
 Open sores that don’t heal
 Red patches

 Pink patches

 Raised lesions

 Indented areas

 Newly formed lesions.

WARNIG: Not all BCCs are the same. Everyone may have different
appearing lesions and no lesion on one person may appear the same.
Please contact your healthcare provider with questions or concerns.
 Treatments

 Electrodesiccation and Curettage: BCC is scraped and the burned until

the cancer cells no longer remain.
 MOHS: Usually performed on the face or scalp. Small layers are peeled
of the skin like an onion, until the cancer is no longer there
 Excision: A border of healthy skin around the lesion are removed
making sure that the whole lesion is excised.
 Cryosurgery: Liquid nitrogen from a cannister or a cotton tip applicator
is used to destroy the lesion. May take several visits.
 5-fluorouracil: A topical chemotherapy to be used as directed.
 Prevention
 DO NOT USE Tanning beds
 When outside between 10am and 2pm use shade
 Wear SPF protective clothing
 Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 that is moisture resistant and reapply
every 90 minutes or after swimming
 Follow up with your dermatologist yearly for a skin check or as
directed
 Look for changing or new lesions and notify your healthcare provider
with concerns
 References
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2023). Skin cancer
types: Basal cell carcinoma overview.
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/types/common/bcc

Skin Cancer Foundation. (2022, January). Basal cell carcinoma overview.

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma
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