How to Spot Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Video

Understanding Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): What You Need to Know

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and among its types, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a frequent but often under‐discussed form.

In his new video “BCC Basal Cell Carcinoma”, Dr Ross Perry offers an accessible, yet thorough, overview of what BCC is, how to recognise it, and why early detection is so important.

What Is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma is a kind of skin cancer that arises from the basal cells of the skin. These are the cells at the lowest layer of the epidermis (the outer skin). BCC develops when these cells experience DNA damage – often due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds – and begin uncontrolled growth.

Unlike melanoma, BCC usually grows more slowly and rarely spreads (metastasises), but it can cause local tissue damage if not treated, especially on areas like the face, nose, ears or other cosmetically or functionally sensitive regions.

Causes and Risk Factors

From the content of the video, and medical literature more broadly, here are the main risk factors for BCC:

  • UV exposure: Cumulative sun exposure over many years, especially without protection. Sunburns in youth increase risk.
  • Tanning beds: Artificial UV sources also contribute significantly.
  • Fair skin / light hair / light eyes: Skin that burns easily is more vulnerable.
  • Age: Incidence increases with age, as DNA damage accumulates.
  • Immunosuppression: Weakened immune systems (due to disease or medications) reduce the body’s ability to repair damage or suppress abnormal cell growth.
  • Previous skin cancer history: If you’ve had one, risk is higher for another.

Recognising Basal Cell Carcinoma

Knowing what to look for is critical. Typical signs and features to watch out for:

  • A pearly or waxy bump, often with small visible blood vessels.
  • A flat, flesh‐coloured or brown scar‐like lesion.
  • Sometimes, a pink or red patch that may bleed, crust, or heal then return.
  • Slow growth over time; BCCs often do not hurt (at least initially), which can delay attention.

The video shows an example which looks very similar to a normal mole, but the patient felt it was unusual or uncomfortable. That’s why it’s best to get it checked out if there is any suspicion or concern.

Diagnosis

The video highlights how dermatologists make the diagnosis:

  1. Visual examination: Doctors will inspect the lesion, looking at features like shape, colour, edges, and whether it’s changing.
  2. Dermatoscopy: Medical use of dermatoscopes to look more closely at the skin structure, blood vessels, pigmentation patterns.
  3. Biopsy/Testing: A sample of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope to confirm diagnosis and subtype, as different subtypes have different behaviours.

Treatment Options

Treating BCC usually involves removing the cancer or destroying the lesion, depending on location, size, subtype, and patient health. Common treatment approaches:

  • Surgical excision: Cutting out the lesion with a margin of healthy tissue.
  • Mohs surgery: Very precise removal layer by layer, checking each for cancer cells; useful in cosmetically sensitive areas or where tissue preservation is important.
  • Topical treatments: Such as creams or gels for superficial forms.
  • Cryotherapy / freezing: For small lesions in suitable locations.
  • Radiation therapy: Sometimes used when surgery is not feasible or in older patients.

Why Early Detection Matters

Basal cell carcinomas tend to grow slowly, but even so:

  • They can invade nearby skin, nerves, or bone if neglected.
  • Larger lesions often require more extensive treatment, potentially causing scarring or disfigurement.
  • Early detection usually results in simpler treatment, fewer complications, better cosmetic outcome, lower cost.

Final Thoughts

Basal cell carcinoma is common, but mostly manageable if caught early.

  1. Be aware
  2. Check moles regularly
  3. If in doubt, check it out – see a GP or dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment if necessary

Early detection of skin cancer is crucial. Knowing what to look out for and how to protect your skin can make the difference.

Don’t delay seeing a professional if something doesn’t look right. Your skin is your body’s first defence—treat it with care.

Skin Surgery Laser Clinics

Dr Ross Perry is a qualified and experienced London NHS GP, who founded Cosmedics Skin Clinics in 2003, an independent company specialising in skin treatments such as removal of lesions/blemishes.

Cosmedics’ Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer private mole removal at a selection of clinics based in London and Bristol. Moles are removed using the latest surgical techniques including laser mole removal; with trained doctors and surgeons.

Our team of qualified and experienced doctors and surgeons also treat other skin blemishes, including sebaceous cysts, skin tags, warts and lipoma using  freezing, laser or surgical techniques.

For ultimate peace of mind, Cosmedics Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer a thorough top to toe mole check carried out by their trained and experienced doctors.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.