Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer on the planet, yet most people have never heard of it until they're sitting in a dermatologist's chair hearing the word cancer for the first time. In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina walks through what these lesions actually look like, and it's rarely what people expect. Sometimes it's a pink, shiny bump that bleeds without warning. Other times it hides as a stubborn scar-like patch or a dry spot that gets mistaken for eczema for months.

She covers how a diagnosis actually comes together, from the dermatoscope exam to the different biopsy methods used to confirm what's going on before any treatment begins. From there, the conversation moves into the full range of treatment options, Mohs surgery, topical chemo creams, scraping and burning, laser, radiation, and oral medications, and how a lesion's location, size, and subtype decide which path makes sense. The episode wraps with what happens after treatment: the real odds of getting another basal cell down the road, and the everyday habits, from sunscreen to a supplement called nicotinamide, that can lower that risk.

In this episode:

00:00 – The most common cancer nobody knows about
00:27 – Welcome to The Skin Real
01:11 – Disclaimer
01:41 – What is basal cell carcinoma
02:57 – What this episode covers
04:02 – Not every basal cell needs surgery
04:19 – What basal cell carcinoma looks like
05:07 – The subtype that mimics eczema
05:30 – When to get a spot checked
06:22 – How you get basal cell carcinoma
07:19 – Warning signs and the dermatoscope exam
08:10 – Why a biopsy is always necessary
08:47 – The three types of biopsies explained
12:03 – The dangerous myth: it won't kill me
14:29 – Do you need imaging or scans
15:33 – How location, size, and subtype drive treatment
15:49 – Mohs surgery explained
17:38 – Topical chemo creams
19:16 – Scrape and burn (EDNC)
20:51 – Laser treatment
22:16 – Why radiation is rarely used
23:19 – Oral and systemic medications
26:27 – Your risk of getting another one
27:30 – Daily sun protection
28:01 – Other prevention options and nicotinamide
30:03 – Final thoughts: get it checked

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

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Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.