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Recognizing Skin Cancer Symptoms
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Published: February 28, 2007
Skin cancer is on the rise in the United States, and as a result the symptoms of skin cancer are increasing, too. The country has a fascination with the bronzed body, and the suntanning that is done to achieve that bronzed look is one of the major contributing factors to skin cancer.
There are many skin cancer symptoms to look for, but if one never physically examines their own skin, the chances of survival of skin cancer decreases. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that self-examination of skin once a month, in conjunction with a yearly doctor visit, is the best way to detect skin cancer symptoms.
Recognizing skin cancer symptoms requires some knowledge and historical reference about the skin under examination. The best way to achieve this information is by performing monthly skin self-examinations. A doctor usually performs a skin exam during an annual checkup if a patient has a personal or genetic history of skin cancer. A doctor would also perform a skin exam if a patient has any suspicious moles, lesions, or 50 or more moles on their body. A self-examination entails looking for symptoms of skin cancer such as any suspicious moles or warts, changes in skin, and sores that refuse to heal.
The American Cancer Society has created the ABCD rule to help patients in identifying and recognizing skin cancer symptoms. Asymmetry, border irregularity, color and diameter make up ABCD rule for skin cancer symptoms. It's important that all of the ABCDs be considered when looking for skin cancer symptoms in moles or lesions on the body. Asymmetry is when a mole's shape doesn't match on both sides. Jagged, notched, or blurry borders are signs of border irregularity. If the pigmentation of the mole or lesion is not uniform in color, have a doctor look at it. Any change in the distribution of the color of a mole, such as color spreading to the outer edges, is one of the early symptoms of skin cancer. Birthmark, mole, or lesion changes should be monitored carefully – any changes in shape, size, or color might be skin cancer symptoms.
Other skin cancer symptoms don’t involve moles or lesions, but irregularities or changes in the surface of the skin. Transparent, firm bumps with tiny blood vessels, irritated patches of skin, a new smooth bump with an indentation in the center and a raised border – all of these are skin cancer symptoms. Any part of the skin that wasn’t previously shiny, bumpy, red, or irritated should be checked by a doctor.
The best way to avoid skin cancer is to stay out of the sun, but that isn’t always possible. Monthly checkups at home, yearly checkups at a doctor, and daily use of sunscreen and protective clothing are proven methods for preventing skin cancer symptoms. By better understanding what to look for in skin cancer symptoms and being diligent about skin checkups, the likelihood of successful treatment increases dramatically.
Sources:
How Is Melanoma Skin Cancer Found? American Cancer Society. 24 April 2006. 27 Feb 2007 <http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_ 2_2_3X_How_is_melanoma_skin_cancer_found_50.asp?si />Symptoms. WebMD. 1995-2006. Healthwise, Incorporated. 27 Feb 2007 <http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/mela noma-guide/skin-cancer-melanoma-symptoms>.
Physical Exam of the Skin for Skin Cancer. WebMD. 1995-2006. Healthwise, Incorporated. 22 Feb. 2007 <http://www.webmd.com/cancer/Physical-exam-of-t he-skin-for-skin-cancer>.
Related Articles
Recognizing skin cancer symptoms requires some knowledge and historical reference about the skin under examination. The best way to achieve this information is by performing monthly skin self-examinations. A doctor usually performs a skin exam during an annual checkup if a patient has a personal or genetic history of skin cancer. A doctor would also perform a skin exam if a patient has any suspicious moles, lesions, or 50 or more moles on their body. A self-examination entails looking for symptoms of skin cancer such as any suspicious moles or warts, changes in skin, and sores that refuse to heal.
The American Cancer Society has created the ABCD rule to help patients in identifying and recognizing skin cancer symptoms. Asymmetry, border irregularity, color and diameter make up ABCD rule for skin cancer symptoms. It's important that all of the ABCDs be considered when looking for skin cancer symptoms in moles or lesions on the body. Asymmetry is when a mole's shape doesn't match on both sides. Jagged, notched, or blurry borders are signs of border irregularity. If the pigmentation of the mole or lesion is not uniform in color, have a doctor look at it. Any change in the distribution of the color of a mole, such as color spreading to the outer edges, is one of the early symptoms of skin cancer. Birthmark, mole, or lesion changes should be monitored carefully – any changes in shape, size, or color might be skin cancer symptoms.
Other skin cancer symptoms don’t involve moles or lesions, but irregularities or changes in the surface of the skin. Transparent, firm bumps with tiny blood vessels, irritated patches of skin, a new smooth bump with an indentation in the center and a raised border – all of these are skin cancer symptoms. Any part of the skin that wasn’t previously shiny, bumpy, red, or irritated should be checked by a doctor.
The best way to avoid skin cancer is to stay out of the sun, but that isn’t always possible. Monthly checkups at home, yearly checkups at a doctor, and daily use of sunscreen and protective clothing are proven methods for preventing skin cancer symptoms. By better understanding what to look for in skin cancer symptoms and being diligent about skin checkups, the likelihood of successful treatment increases dramatically.
Sources:
How Is Melanoma Skin Cancer Found? American Cancer Society. 24 April 2006. 27 Feb 2007 <http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_ 2_2_3X_How_is_melanoma_skin_cancer_found_50.asp?si />Symptoms. WebMD. 1995-2006. Healthwise, Incorporated. 27 Feb 2007 <http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/mela noma-guide/skin-cancer-melanoma-symptoms>.
Physical Exam of the Skin for Skin Cancer. WebMD. 1995-2006. Healthwise, Incorporated. 22 Feb. 2007 <http://www.webmd.com/cancer/Physical-exam-of-t he-skin-for-skin-cancer>.
