Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is an uncontrolled growth that occurs in the skins basal cells. Basal cell carcinoma rarely metastasizes, but on unusual cases it may spread. BCC is not a life threatening cancer that often occurs. The most common places of BCC to occur is the areas that are exposed to the sun such as your neck and face. You might know a friend who has basal cell carcinoma but may not be able to identify it. The most common causes of BCC is ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds. Some signs and symptoms of basal cell carcinoma are open sores, reddish patches, shiny hard bumps, pink growths, and scar like areas. To diagnose BCC you can perform a skin biopsy which is when a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined
