One of the most common cancer in the world is the skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two common subtypes specifically found in men and women. With the advancement in the medical field, many new treatment have been discovered for these skin cancers, especially when caught early.

You must remember that skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body. However, face, neck, hands and arms are considered to be the most common areas where skin cancer can develop.

Risk factor is one of the important terms used in skin cancer. The term refers to the factors that increases your chances of getting a disease. Don't think that having a risk factor does not imply that you'll get cancer. Although, not all changes in the skin are a sign of skin cancer, but a doctor should be consulted if any changes in the skin are seen.

Early detection is very important to treat facial skin cancers. There are many options available for treatment once the cancer is detected. Removal of the cancer is the mainstay of the therapy. Following are the two main methods in which this is performed:

1. Wide Local Excision – In this method additional skin is removed from the visible portion of the affected area to ensure that any microscopic cells are removed. It is considered to be a good option because additional skin is removed without any consequence as well as the reconstruction is not a concern. For facial skin cancer around cheek and/or neck this is an effective treatment.
2. MOHS Surgery – It is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes the visible skin cancer. The removed portion of the cancer is then analyzed under the microscope to determine if more skin needs to be removed in order to completely remove the cancer. Once the entire cancer is removed from the skin, repair of the defect is considered.

Patients usually go for this treatment only if the reconstruction is believed to be more difficult. Under this treatment the smallest possible amount of skin is removed while safely still removing all of the cancer. Studies show that the cure rates using the MOHS surgical technique are quoted to be as high as 99%.