SUMMER SKIN CANCER INFORMATION
It’s a good practice to make sure you wash and moisturize your skin every day and to use sunscreen on a regular basis. But an even better habit is to truly protect your health and skin from skin cancer by routinely inspecting your skin and looking for any potential symptoms of the disease!
WHAT ARE THE FIRST SIGNS OF SKIN CANCER?
Finding cancer in the earliest stage, no matter what type it is, is always better as far as the prognosis goes. Having skin cancer can vary in symptoms in correlation with what kind of skin cancer you may have. Things you need to look for are symptoms such as:
- Patches of skin that are scaly and cannot be treated with lotion or cream.
- Red bumps that feel hard and appear on your arms, hands, face or neck
- Moles that bleed, begin to get larger or have irregular borders
- Bumps on the face or neck that look waxy
Skin cancer usually occurs in parts of the body that receive higher sun exposure. This covers the head, lips, limbs, legs, hands, neck, and face, among other body parts. But skin cancer can appear anywhere, including under your fingernails and toenails, on your eyelids, in your mouth, and between your fingers and toes. Certain skin cancer symptoms may appear quite gradually, while others may appear rather quickly.
Skin cancer doesn’t care who you are. There is no difference in your race, gender, or skin tone. No matter who you are, you still have the same probability of developing skin cancer.
Skin cancer doesn’t care who you are. There is no difference in your race, gender, or skin tone. No matter who you are, you still have the same probability of developing skin cancer.
CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU NOTICE ANY SUSPICIOUS SIGNS THAT MAY POINT TO SKIN CANCER
A mole that changes in color or becomes lighter or darker over time is one of the early indicators that skin cancer may be present. Additional indicators may include sores that won’t go away and flaky skin that doesn’t get better no matter how often you apply lotions or creams to it.
To help you determine whether a mole is worrisome, Dr. Rapaport advises looking at the moles’ ABCDEs. Make an instant phone call to your doctor if you see any of these symptoms. The mole alphabet is as follows:
To help you determine whether a mole is worrisome, Dr. Rapaport advises looking at the moles’ ABCDEs. Make an instant phone call to your doctor if you see any of these symptoms. The mole alphabet is as follows:
- A is asymmetry. Moles that are not round or the same on both sides
- B is border. The outer edges of the mole are not smooth.
- C is color. Areas inside a brown or black mole that are red, blue or white in color.
- D is diameter. Moles should not be larger than a pencil eraser.
- E is evolution. Any moles that have changed in the way they look and/or in their size.
SPOTTING CANCER IN UNUSUAL PLACES
On the skin, skin cancers can develop anywhere. Areas that are exposed to the sun on a regular or sporadic basis are more likely to develop skin cancers linked to sun exposure. Even if the mole ABCDEs apply to any unusual spots, you should still get in touch with your doctor to have it checked out.
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DERMATOLOGIST
Since dermatologists are specialists, scheduling a consultation can occasionally be quite difficult and frustrating. Since the kind of appointment you need is considered cosmetic, don’t be shocked if it takes weeks or months to get scheduled to see the doctor. But given the gravity of the issue, prompt action is necessary. Inform your dermatologist or family doctor over the phone about what you’ve found and that you need to see them right away.
According to Dr. Rapaport, individuals should see a dermatologist or family physician annually for a skin cancer screening.
Examine the rest of your skin, including your moles, on a regular basis. If you find anything unusual or suspicious, consult a physician right away. Skin cancer is a grave illness that could potentially be prevented if you regularly check your skin.
Examine the rest of your skin, including your moles, on a regular basis. If you find anything unusual or suspicious, consult a physician right away. Skin cancer is a grave illness that could potentially be prevented if you regularly check your skin.