Skin cancer is the most common of all
cancers. Skin cancer is also the easiest cancer to cure, if diagnosed and
treated early. However, if the skin cancer is allowed to progress, it can result
in disfigurement and even death.
Everyone should! Teach your children how
from an early age. With yearly skin examinations by your dermatologist. Self-examinations
are the best way to ensure that you won't become a statistic in the battle
against skin cancer.
It should be done often enough to become a
habit, but not so often as to feel like a bother. For most people an interval of
three months is ideal.
There are three types of skin cancer: basal
cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Because each has many different appearances, it is important to know the early
warning signs. Look especially for change of any kind. Do not ignore a
suspicious spot simply be cause it does not hurt. Skin cancers may be painless,
but dangerous all the same. If you notice one or more of the warning signs, see
a doctor right away.
A skin growth that increases in size and
appears pearly, translucent, tan brown, black, or multicolored.
A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown
spot that:
| Changes color. |
| Increases in size or thickness. |
| Changes in texture. |
| Is irregular in outline. |
| Is bigger than 6mm, the size of a pencil eraser. |
A spot or sore that:
| Itches or hurts. |
| Crusts or scabs. |
| Ulcerates or bleeds. |
| Fails to heal within three weeks. |
| The Self Examination should start with the head and end with the
feet. |
| Self Examination should include the scalp, face, neck, beneath
facial hair and trunk. |
| On the upper part of the body, Self Examination should include the
armpits, hands, finger webs and nail beds. |
| A mirror should be used to examine the back and skin between the
buttocks. |
| On the legs, It should include toe webs, toe nail beds and soles of
the feet. |
BE SURE TO SHOW YOUR DOCTOR ANYTHING ON YOUR SKIN THAT CONCERNS
YOU.