Reporter Jian Haozheng / Taipei Report
▲ US President Biden suffers from basal cell carcinoma. (Picture / flip from Biden Facebook)
Please read on….
Recently, it was reported that the cancerous skin tissue removed from the chest by US President Joe Biden was determined to be “basal cell carcinoma” (basal cell carcinoma) after testing, but fortunately all cancerous tissue has been successfully removed and no further treatment is required. In this regard, a dermatologist said that basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer among Chinese people, accounting for more than 50% of the cases, and often grows on the face, body and other parts, but because of its low malignancy and rarely metastases characteristics, surgery is easy to cure and the risk of death is low.
It is reported that White House physician O’Connor stated that the cancerous skin tissue removed from the chest of US President Biden on February 16 was determined to be basal cell carcinoma after testing. All cancerous tissue has been successfully resected and no further treatment is required. He pointed out in a letter released by the White House that the tissue examination that Biden removed on February 16 was confirmed to be basal cell carcinoma, and the area of the specimen has healed, but Biden will continue to undergo dermatological monitoring.
O’Connor noted that basal cell carcinoma, which is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States, does not spread or metastasize as easily as more serious skin cancers such as melanoma.
▲ Basal cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer. (Schematic diagram / provided by Wanfang Hospital)
Huang Yuhui, a dermatologist at Chang Gung Hospital in Linkou, was interviewed by a reporter from Sanli News today (4th) and said that basal cell carcinoma is a common type of skin cancer, and it is mostly related to ultraviolet rays from the sun. There are “moles” or spots on the nose and upper body, and they are not very painful. She further explained that the main cause of basal cell carcinoma is related to long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays. Ultraviolet rays in sunlight are a carcinogen. If people are exposed to them for a long time, they will cause genetic mutations in skin cells and turn them into cancer.
She said that the common types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common among Taiwanese, accounting for more than 50% of the total. Fortunately, its malignancy is not high and it hardly metastasizes. Surgical treatment is performed according to the location of the lesion, and the success rate of the operation is very high; the ratio of the latter two accounts for about 20% and 10%, but although the rate of melanoma is low, it is highly malignant and easily metastasized, so the public should also pay attention.
Regarding Biden suffering from this cancer, Huang Yuhui said that white people have less melanocytes, and they like outdoor activities, such as playing in the water on the beach and basking in the sun. For example, Hugh Jackman, a well-known Australian actor who once played Wolverine, also suffered from this cancer.
How to prevent basal cell carcinoma? Huang Yuhui said that cancer is related to ultraviolet exposure, so if new moles or lumps suddenly appear on the face or body, and there are signs of rapid growth, you should pay attention and seek further medical examination; outdoor workers such as construction workers, delivery people or business etc., should also avoid prolonged exposure to the sun; and it is recommended that the public wear sunglasses when going out, apply sunscreen on the face and neck or any parts that will be exposed to the sun to prevent sun protection.
