When identified early, skin cancer is highly curable
Early skin cancer can be challenging to recognize.
Symptoms can be very subtle, such as a dry patch developing on your lip or ear.
Do you know what to look for or when to seek medical advice?
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Precancerous Lesions
Precancerous lesions do not always progress to cancer.
Fifty-eight million Americans have actinic keratosis, and 5%10% of the patches become cancerous.
The keratin forms growths that resemble small animal horns.
Cutaneous horns can vary in size and shape and are more commonly seen in older adults.
Seek Medical Advice ASAP
If you find a lesion, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
To reduce the risk of early skin cancer, treatment usually involves removing precancerous lesions.
BCC appears in the basal cells, the new skin cells produced as others die off.
BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is more common in areas exposed to the sun.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of BCC.
Be aware of new or unusual symptoms.
If in doubt, seek advice from a medical professional as soon as you notice a skin change.
If left untreated, it can grow rapidly and spread.
Regular checks for unusual or new skin changes can help catch SCC early.
If left untreated, it can spread rapidly to other organs and the lymphatic system.
Most moles or spots are entirely normal and harmless.
In most cases, atypical moles appear larger and are more irregular in shape than regular moles.
They also may have an uneven border and be of more than one color.
If you have an atypical mole, have it evaluated by a dermatologist.
You have a higher risk of developing melanoma if you have more than four atypical moles.
Observe your body in the mirror from all anglesfront, back, and on each side.
Use a small mirror to get a closer look at your buttocks and your back.
you might also use a small mirror to examine your face, neck, head, and scalp.
Don’t forget to part your hair and feel around your scalp.
Melanomas tend to be uneven, with one half not matching the other.
Moles are much more symmetrical in shape.
B - Border: How does the border look?
C - Color:Is the color even?
Each melanoma can have more than one color or have varying shades of one color.
Moles tend to be even in color.
D - Diameter:How big is the mole, spot, or lesion?
Most melanomas are larger than 6 millimeters (about 0.25 inches).
E - Evolving:Is the mole evolving?
Melanomas change in size, shape, and color, while normal moles tend to remain the same.
Usually, moles on your body look quite similar to each other.
However, compared to other moles, melanomas tend to stand out like an ugly duckling.
Be sure to point out to your healthcare provider any areas of concern.
The sooner you identify skin changes, the better your chances of preventing skin cancer altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Skin cancer 101.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Actinic Keratosis Overview.
Muse ME, Crane JS.Actinic cheilitis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Basal cell carcinoma warning signs.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Skin cancer types: squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms.
The Skin Cancer Foundation.Squamous cell carcinoma warning signs.
American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Moles: who gets and types.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Detect skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABDCEs of Melanoma.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Types of Skin Cancer.
