Early Detection of Skin Cancer and What to Look For

Early detection with skin cancer is just as important as early detection with breast cancer, but most people don't believe that skin cancer can have a huge impact. Skin cancer is not just moles and spots; it is also a life changing, radical disease that can metastasize very quickly if not treated.

Self examination is highly recommended by dermatologists, and is encouraged for both young and old to do. Skin cancers are fairly easy to treat which is why early detection is key. Early detection with most other cancers is invasive and therefore presents the patient with more worry and concern.

Everyone can perform a self-exam on their skin, and the hard parts that you can't see can be checked by either a spouse or family member, or even your doctor. According to skincarephysicians.com, patients are much more motivated to do self exams when there is someone else there to witness the exam. Having someone else involved usually makes an individual be accountable for themselves, and therefore is harder to hide from once they know you are trying to do these self exams on a regular basis.

A full length mirror is usually best to do a self-exam, and a handheld mirror will come in handy too if you are looking behind your neck or around the hairline. Sometimes you can even use a handheld mirror to see the top of your back, or on your shoulders. You can also use a handheld mirror to look under and around the legs as well.

There are a few things to be cautious of when doing a self exam for your skin. The most common things to look for are going to be moles that look extremely dark, extremely red, or itch or bleed. These can all be signs of skins cancer. If you have a sore that never fully heals, it could be skin cancer or it could be related to high sugar if you are a diabetic. This is something that you want to keep an eye on because you never know until you have your sugar monitored. If you have any patches on the skin that appear to be translucent in color and have rolled edges, this could be cancerous. As soon as you detect that you may be symptomatic of skin cancer, you should see a dermatologist right away.

The Skin Care Foundation recommends that you do skin care exams every month. Your skin changes rapidly, and especially when exposed to sunlight for length periods of time or during the summer, you can be affected dramatically by the sunlight. If you or the individual helping you see something that doesn't look quite right then call your doctor right away. More than likely they will refer to a dermatologist, and if you're insurance doesn't require a referral, then call a dermatologist right away.