How to Complete a Skin Cancer Check

Summer is in full swing, and with that comes a lot of sun exposure. It is important to complete a skin cancer check to identify any problems that you should bring to your doctor's attention.

Skin cancer comes in three kinds: squamous cell cancer, basal cell cancer and malignant melanoma. Each is dependant on the layer of skin they affect.

Squamous cell cancer occurs on the exterior side of the skin, amongst the basal cells. These are the outermost cells and are responsible for the 2nd most common type of skin cancer.

The basal cells are responsible for the most common type of cancer which makes up for 75% of all skin cancer diagnoses. Basal cell cancer is very treatable and the cancer cells are slow growing.

The last type of skin cancer is malignant melanoma. This type of cancer is the most serious, but thankfully is the least common. The melanocytes are the type of skin cell that is responsible for giving skin color. When these cells become malignant they grow very rapidly and may enter other body systems.

It is very important to complete a skin cancer check at least once a month to view all moles and notice any changes in size, shape or color. By knowing your skin, you can identify any changes quickly and have the doctor check them out. The less you view your skin, the less likely you are to notice when a mole or spot on your skin begins to chance and may become cancerous.

To check your body, examine each mole and look for the following symptoms of a cancer spot.

Look at the size of the mole. Most moles are less than 5 millimeters in diameter. If you have many moles larger than this size, you should be seen by your doctor or a dermatologist to have them examined further.

Next you will want to inspect the color of the mole. Most moles are brownish in color. Some color symptoms that may signal cancer could appear as red, blue, white, purple or black. If you notice the color of a mole changing over time, you should have it looked at by your doctor.

After size and color is examined, you will want to examine the border of the mole. Most moles will have a clear border where the mole begins and ends. If you have amole that appears to run into the surrounding skin with no definite stop and start, it may be cancerous and you should have it checked out.

The shape of the mole is also very important. Most healthy moles are round in shape, and appear to be symmetric. If you have a mole that has a funny shape or is not round, have it examined further.

Basal cell cancer usually appears a wound that doesn't seem to go away. It may be shiny and dimpled. Once you notice that the small wound doesn't seem to be healing, you may suspect it could be a basal cell cancer lesion.

Squamous cell cancer generally appears in the same manner as a basal cell cancer spot, but it may be raised and appear as a bump too. These spots generally do not feel different or hurt.

Melanoma is most frequently noticed by a changing mole. The mole may itch, or become irritated. A malignant melanoma may even bleed, which can be a sign that the cancer has spread.

Diagnosis is often done through a biopsy. A micro sample is taken from the suspected spot and taken to the lab for further testing.

If the diagnosis is malignant, the mole is most commonly removed along with a portion of the healthy skin surrounding the mole. This is done to ensure all the cancer cells are taken away. Your doctor will recheck your skin often to be sure you stay cancer free. If the cancer has spread to the deep parts of the skin, more drastic measure may need to be taken. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and freezing of the skin may all be done if needed.

Skin cancer is very common and for that reason alone, you need to check your skin and complete a skin cancer check at least once a month. Know your skin, and notice any changes immediately. If you ever suspect a cancer area, visit your doctor to ease your mind, or treat the cancer immediately. With early treatment, skin cancer has a very successful recovery rate!