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Detection and Self Examination
BREAKING
NEWS! As well as using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, a yearly scheduled full-body exam by your dermatologist is key to prevention. Melanoma can occur on parts of the body that are not exposed to the sun. It takes a trained eye to spot a melanoma in its early stage. You should also examine yourself regularly. The best time to do this is after a bath or shower standing in front of a full-length mirror. Use a hand mirror to help you see difficult to reach areas. Contact your Doctor at once if you see any odd-looking mole.
Skin Cancer and Melanoma Facts
Despite the importance for everyone to practice sun safe practices, some individuals are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer. These risks include:
*Information taken from the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation www.preventcancer.org Skin cancer is an important issue and one that we should be aware of and educated about. Skin cancer is not only a threat to our appearance but also to our lives. Examining our skin regularly is the best way to detect any early warning signs. Most of the “spots” on our skin—freckles, moles, and birthmarks—are normal, but some may be skin cancers. It is important to look for any new growths or changes when examining our skin.
BCCs and SCCs are easily treated when they are detected at an early stage. However, the larger a tumor grows, the more dangerous and potentially disfiguring it may become and the more extensive the treatment must be While BCCs seldom spread to vital organs, they can cause major damage-even the loss of an eye, ear, or nose. Certain rare forms can become lethal if not treated promptly. In general, SCCs are more threatening than BCC’s and have a much greater chance of spreading and becoming life threatening if untreated. Five Signs of BCC
Four Signs of SCC
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is most often caused by intense, intermittent exposures to the sun-especially exposures that occur before age 18. In the past two decades, as outdoor recreational activities have increased and fashions have left more skin exposed, melanoma incidence rates have more than tripled. In its earliest stages, melanoma is readily treatable. Left untreated, it will spread to vital organs, frequently becoming life threatening. Most people have some brownish spots or growths. Almost all of these are normal. But growths that change noticeably in size or have irregularities in shape and color could be melanomas. It is important to check the skin from head to toe every month, staying alert for lesions that have the “ABCD” signs of melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variability, and Diameter larger than a pencil eraser.
Reproduced with the permission from the American Academy of Dermatology. Asymmetry- Most melanomas are asymmetrical: A line through the middle would not create matching halves. Common moles are round and symmetrical. Border Irregularity- The borders of early melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges. Common moles have smoother, more even borders. Color Variability- Varied shades of brown, tan or black are often the first sign of melanoma. As melanomas progress, the colors red, white, and blue may appear. Common moles usually are a single shade of brown. Diameter- Early melanomas tent to grow larger than common moles-generally to at least the size of a pencil eraser REMEMBER:
PROMPT SURGICAL EXCISION OF AN EARLY MELANOMA OFFERS AN EXCELLENT CHANCE OF A CURE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT A MOLE, SEE A DERMATOLOGIST.
* Information Taken from American Academy of Dermatology www.aad.org
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