Don’t Panic – It Isn’t Always Skin Cancer

Even if you have spent an excessive amount of time using a tanning bed or outdoors in the sun, the moles and marks that you have identified on your body may not be skin cancer lesions. While you should definitely not rule out skin cancer, you should also not panic when a mark on your body looks similar to one or more of the skin cancer pictures that you have been looking at.

If, at any point in time, you find yourself concerned that you are exhibiting any of the skin cancer signs, it is important that you discuss your concerns with a dermatologist at a reputable skin cancer clinic.

Skin Cancer Risk Factors

There are several risk factors that could put you at a higher risk of developing one or more types of skin cancer. The risk factors include the following:

• You have a family history of skin cancer – a history of skin cancer in your family can definitely put you at a much higher risk of developing skin cancer.
• You have a fair complexion along with red or blond hair; blue, green, and grey eyes can also put you at higher risk.
• You have received one or more severe sunburns during childhood.
• You have had excessive and unprotected exposure to the sun’s damaging rays.
• You have occupational risk factors for exposure to radium, creosote, and even coal tar.
• If you notice any changes to your skin or changes to moles along with new areas of darkly pigmented growth then you should pay a visit to a dermatologist to rule out anything potentially dangerous.
• If any of the marks on your body develop a scale-like appearance, begin to itch, or start to bleed or scab then you should not hesitate to contact your doctor to have the lesions carefully examined.
• If any of the lesions you have begin to hurt or you develop a change in sensation then you may have something to be concerned about.

The Signs And Symptoms Of Skin Cancer

By taking the steps to carefully protect yourself from the sun and by avoiding tanning beds, cancer can be avoided – at least the types of skin cancer that are as a direct result of sun damage. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen and try to avoid the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm; protect your skin – it is the only skin that you have!

Pay Attention To Your Skin

One of the first steps that you should take in an effort to learn how to identify the signs of skin cancer is to know your own body; be aware of any freckles, moles, or other colored areas on your body. Ask yourself how long they have been there and make a mental note of what they currently look like. Any mole that has appeared recently should be cause for concern.

By knowing your own skin you will be in a much better position to identify potential skin cancer lesions should they appear.

Learn The ABCDE’s Of Skin Cancer

Understanding the ABCDE’s of skin cancer can help you to readily identify the five signs of skin cancer.
Asymmetry – a common mole will, in general, be round and symmetrical whereas a skin cancer lesion will be asymmetrical. Draw an imaginary line through your mole; if the result on either side is two identical halves then your mole is likely nothing to be concerned about. If you have two different shapes on either side of the line then you should consider a consultation with a medical professional to rule out the possibility of melanoma skin cancer.
Border – the borders of a skin cancer lesion are unlikely to be smooth and even like a common mole will be. They tend to be uneven and have jagged or notched edges.
Color – A common and harmless mole is generally light brown in color and should not change color; skin cancer lesions will appear in a variety of colors – ranging from browns, tans, and even black. Keep an eye out for lesions that appear to change color.
Diameter – Skin cancer lesions tend to be much larger in diameter than moles are; while they are also detectable when much smaller, a mole that grows larger over time is definitely an area for concern.
Evolving – Any change in a mole, mark, freckle, or spot on your body is cause for alarm – whether the change is in shape, size or the color. Additionally, if a mole starts to itch, bleed, or causes you pain then you should immediately consult with a medical professional.

When you consult with a skin cancer clinic you will likely see several pictures of skin cancer compared to the lesions on your own body. Once your areas of concern have been diagnosed you can start to move on to the next step – treatment and the total elimination of any skin cancer that you may have.

Identifying The Types Of Skin Cancer

The first step in your skin cancer treatment plan will be to identify the type of skin cancer that you have; your team of medical professionals will not only be able to help you to recognize the types of skin cancer but they will also be able to make a determination as to the likelihood of your cancer returning at a later point in time. You will likely be shown several pictures of skin cancer that will help you to not just recognize your own lesions as being cancer but will help you to be an educated patient.

Discussing Your Concerns With Your Doctor

Once your skin cancer symptoms have been identified, and your type of skin cancer diagnosed, your doctor will be able to help answer the countless questions that you will no doubt have about your diagnosis and the proposed treatment plan. Be sure to ask all of the questions on your mind and mention all of the concerns that you may have about your diagnosis and your skin cancer treatment plan. If your family members have their own questions and concerns be sure to allow them to accompany you on your next visit to your doctor’s office so that they can have their concerns addressed.

Forming A Plan Of Attack

While your doctors and team of medical professionals at your skin cancer clinic work on their plan of attack treating your skin cancer, you need to work on formulating a plan of attack of your own. Having the right mindset along with the right mental and emotional approach will help you to handle your diagnosis and your skin cancer treatment plan. Oftentimes the hardest part of skin cancer treatments can be the emotional and mental toll that the process takes on a patient; be sure to enter your own treatment plan with the best possible mindset.

The type of skin cancer treatment plan that your medical professionals present you with will depend on the types of skin cancer that you have developed as well as the level of progression that your skin cancer has reached. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed with emotion and the amount of information being thrown your way, be sure to take the time to talk to your doctor so that all of your fears can be addressed.

Avoid Tanning

While it may appear to be an ultra trendy thing to have a rich and dark tan, intentionally tanning your body can not only cause premature aging on your face and hands, but it can also be a major contributor towards your developing skin cancer. To avoid skin cancer melanomas consider, instead, using one of the many available sunless self-tanning products that can give you the same look without the danger. Be certain, however, that you continue to make use of an effective sunscreen.

Sunscreen

There is no doubt about it, an effective sun screen can mean the difference between enjoying a day in the great outdoors and suffering from a painful sunburn at the end of the day – and ultimately developing skin cancer. Select a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15; your sunscreen should offer broad spectrum protection for both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays. When you are out and about, swimming or being otherwise active, it is important that you re-apply your sunscreen every two hours. Be sure to reapply sunscreen to children frequently as their skin is a lot more prone to painful burns. On a daily basis consider using a light moisturizing lotion that contains sunscreen so that you have continuous protection.

Protective Clothing

Many people may not know that it is possible for the sun’s harmful rays to reach your skin through your clothing and contribute towards the development of skin cancer; however, long sleeves, a hat and sunglasses can still offer a significant level of protection from the harmful UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays. There are many clothing manufacturers that offer lines of protective clothing that can help block the harmful UVA and UVB rays; look for children’s swimsuits, in particular, to provide a higher level of protection for their young skin.

Stay Out Of The Sun

It is important to remember that the rays of the sun are strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. You should be certain that you avoiding spending prolonged amounts of time in the direct sun if at all possible; seek out shaded areas and be sure to wear sunscreen when you plan on being outdoors for any amount of time.

Remember that when it comes to skin cancer, taking the steps to prevent as much sun damage as possible can be key towards the prevention of developing one or more type of skin cancer. Be sure to check your body on a monthly basis for skin cancer symptoms and discuss any concerns that you may have with your medical professional.

When it comes to skin cancer, just like with all types of cancer, early detection of the melanoma can play a key role in helping to save a life. Pictures of skin cancer can help both doctors and patients alike when it comes to pairing the symptoms of skin cancer with what is visually noticeable on the skin.

Being Informed And Educated

It is important for patients and their doctors to have a solid understanding of how melanoma skin cancers can be presented on the skin. From taking the form of what may be perceived as a common mole to a large discolored lesion, in order to correctly identify the type of cancer so that it can be removed treated, pictures of skin cancer should be available to doctors and their patients. By being an informed and educated patient, you will be well aware of what to look for and how to identify melanoma skin cancer in its early stages.

Identifying The Types Of Skin Cancer

There are many types of skin cancer; however, the three that are seen most often are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

-          Basal cell carcinoma is perhaps the most common of all skin cancers with it appearing in an estimated 30% of the Caucasian population. Rarely known for metastasizing and taking a turn for terminal, basal cell carcinoma types of skin cancer can still cause extensive disfigurement in patients due to its tendency to spread to surrounding delicate tissues.

-          Squamous cell carcinoma is the second type of skin cancer most often seen in patients; in general it is seen on patients who have spent excessive amounts of time exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. While smaller lesions of this type of skin cancer can easily be removed, removal is almost always followed up with radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Squamous cell skin cancer an aggressive type of skin cancer and, without medical intervention, it can rapidly metastasize throughout the body.

-          Melanoma is the most aggressive form of cancer and it is largely to blame for the majority of deaths that are related to skin cancer. Melanoma is much less common than the other types of skin cancer and it appears to affect women more than it affects men. To ensure that melanoma skin cancers are treated as aggressively as they attack the body, early detection is key. Pictures of skin cancer can help to rapidly identify a melanoma, especially when there are other signs of skin cancer present in the patient.

Pictures of skin cancer can help doctors and their patients quickly identify skin cancer, and the type of skin cancer that is present. A picture can be worth more than a thousand words, it can be worth your life.

A – Asymmetry

The first sign to look for is asymmetry; common moles, the kind that are not likely to be cancerous, are generally round and symmetrical. This means that if a line is drawn through the center of the mole, there will be two equal halves on either side of the line. The majority of melanoma skin cancers, in their early stages, are asymmetrical; this means that there will be two different shapes on either side of the line drawn through the middle. Carefully examine moles and other areas of concern on your body for their asymmetry in order to rule out skin cancer.

B – Borders

The second sign to look for is borders; common moles will have distinguished and mostly smooth borders to them. The majority of melanomas, in their early stage, will have rough edges and uneven borders to them. Carefully examine the borders of your moles – if they appear to be smooth and rounded then you likely have nothing to worry about. If your moles have irregular borders then you should consider discussing your concerns about skin cancer with a medical professional.

C – Color

The third sign of skin cancer to look for is the color of the moles and markings. The common varieties of moles are, in general, one shade – a single and light shade of brown. As one of the first signs of melanoma, the areas will vary in color. From light shades of brown to darker browns and even black, a color change on a mole on your body should be an immediate cause for concern. As the melanoma progresses, the colors may change from browns and blacks to reds and even varying shades of blue.

D – Diameter

The fourth sign of the five signs of skin cancer is the diameter of the mole. As a general rule of thumb, common moles will not grow and change much in appearance and diameter; melanoma’s, however, have a tendency to grow larger and at a much faster rate than other skin anomalies. Melanoma skin cancers that are diagnosed while still relatively small, less than 7mm in diameter, are not only easier to treat and remove, but there is also a much lower risk of recurrence.

E – Evolving

The fifth, and final of the five signs of skin cancer, is evolving. A common mole may change slightly in size over the span of many years; however, it is unlikely that you will see any noticeable difference in a common mole. A melanoma skin cancer lesion, however, will change and evolve in a manner that will prove to be very noticeable.

Knowing the five signs of skin cancer can prove to be an incredibly valuable tool when it comes to recognizing and identifying melanoma skin cancers; it might just prove to be a lifesaving tool.

Potential Causes Of Skin Cancer

There are many potential causes of skin cancer; including the following:
- Overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays - the sun has been long known to be a major contributing culprit for several types of skin cancer. To help minimize the sun’s damage to your skin be sure that you limit the amount of time that you spend outdoors in the direct sunlight; you should also ensure that you apply a reliable sunscreen to your face, hands and arms on daily basis. Although touted as a much safer option for tanning outside in the direct sun, even exposure to artificial UV rays – like those found in tanning beds – has been proven to cause skin cancer.
- Smoking – smoking, and general tobacco use, has been proven to be the primary cause in the majority of lung cancer patients. Additionally, smoking may also double your risk of developing skin cancer; the best method of avoiding the types of skin cancer caused by smoking is to simply avoid the use of tobacco products.
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) – the HPV virus has been associated with the development of skin cancer in various areas on the body. HPV is a preventable virus that is known to be the primary cause behind the majority of cervical cancers. Talk to a medical professional about your risks of contracting the HPV virus, as well as methods of prevention.

Prevention Is Better Than A Cure

While there is currently no method of completely eliminating the chances of developing skin cancer, the risks can be dramatically reduced by taking the steps to avoid exposure to the things that are known to be contributing factors to the development of skin cancer. With the majority of skin cancers being caused by excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, it stands to reason that limiting your time outdoors in the direct sunlight can help you to significantly lower your risks. Protective clothing and a broad spectrum sun screen can help you to further reduce your exposure.

If you are concerned and are wondering what skin cancer looks like, be sure that you make an appointment with a dermatologist who will be able to compare area of concern on your body with pictures of skin cancer while also comparing the symptoms that you are displaying with a list of common skin cancer symptoms. It is better to be paranoid about a mole on your arm than to receive devastating news – too late.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

The most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma affects over two million people every year; making it, in fact, the most frequently diagnosed of all cancers. With more than a third of all newly diagnosed cancer cases being skin cancer, it is has never been more important to take the steps to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun. Thankfully basal cell carcinoma is one of the easiest types of skin cancer to treat – which is why early detection is so important.

The majority of basal skin cancer cases develop on the parts of the body that have been exposed to excessive amounts of natural sunlight and the artificial light provided by sun tanning beds. Those at highest risk for developing this type of skin cancer are those who have a history of excessive sun exposure and have fair skin with a combination of red or blond hair. By taking the steps to protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun, you will be able to significantly decrease your risks of developing this form of skin cancer.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

After basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is the second most commonly diagnosed skin cancer. These forms of skin cancer are most likely to be caused by excessive exposure to the sun and can appear on all areas of the body – including those the areas that do not necessary get much sun exposure, like mucous membranes.

In general, the areas that squamous cell carcinoma’s will appear in will show signs of severe sun damage; including pigmentation changes and wrinkling. If you have a prior history of developing basal cell carcinoma then you are much more likely to develop squamous cell carcinomas, especially if you use a tanning bed. With early detection there is a much higher rate of curability for these types of skin cancers so it is vital that any lesions are carefully examined by a dermatologist.

Melanoma Skin Cancers

Melanoma skin cancer is the most dangerous and the most deadly form of skin cancer; when these types of skin cancer are allowed the time to metastasize to other parts of the body they can cause severe illness, disfiguration, and even loss of life. If diagnosed and treated in its early stages, melanoma skin cancer is treatable and curable.

Protect yourself against the risks of developing one of the top three types of skin cancers by protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and from the use of tanning beds. Prevention is better than a cure, so be sure to understand your risks and do your part to lower your risks.

Facts

• Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most prevalent skin cancers with over 95% of diagnosed skin cancers being either basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas.
• Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma have incredibly high rates of successful treatment. With early detection, both types of skin cancer are highly curable.
• Melanoma is the third most common of skin cancers and is the most deadly of all types of skin cancer; responsible for more than 70% of deaths resulting from skin cancer. It is vital that melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed and treated as early as possible before it has had the chance to metastasize.
• Women are most likely to discover melanoma skin cancer on their legs; while men are most likely to discover melanoma skin cancers on their upper back

Fiction

• Melanomas result when an existing mole is exposed to the sun – this is definitely fiction! Melanoma skin cancers are likely to develop on unmarked skin and can develop on any part of your body – even on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet.
• A common mole will occasionally itch, bleed, or change color – this is definitely fiction! A mole or a regular freckle should never itch, bleed, or change color; if you have a mole or skin spot that is doing so then it is likely melanoma skin cancer. Seek professional medical treatment immediately.
• Skin cancer pictures are all you need to diagnose a case of melanoma skin cancer – this is fiction! While pictures of skin cancer can certainly help you to identify lesions on your body, it is vital that you seek out medical treatment if you find any skin anomalies that give you cause for concern.

With so much misinformation related to skin cancer and the types of skin cancer, it is important that you become an educated patient so that you can not only identify any potential skin cancer lesions on your body but so that you can get treatment as soon as possible. Early detection and early treatment will make the success of your treatment plan much more likely!

Early Detection Can Save Your Life

To ensure that your skin cancer is treated as effectively as is possible, it is important that your type of skin cancer is identified in its early stages – before it has had a chance to metastasize (or spread) to other areas of your body. If you suspect that a mole or a freckle on your body has the potential to be skin cancer then you should not hesitate to reach out to a qualified dermatologist who will be able to provide you with a diagnosis.

Once a month you should perform self-exams that will help you to spot any irregularities on the surface of your skin; in addition to your once a month self-exams, you should make an appointment to see a dermatologist who will be able to give you the all-clear. The earlier you identify a potential skin cancer lesion, the much more effective your course of treatment is likely to be.

Remember to be well aware of the five signs of skin cancer, while also having reviewed skin cancer pictures to help you better identify potential skin cancer spots on your body.

Skin Cancer Treatment Steps

Once referred to a skin cancer clinic, your team of medical professionals will be able to work out a treatment plan for the types of skin cancer that you have been diagnosed with. You may ask yourself “what does skin cancer look like during treatment.” The fact is that your exact skin cancer types may manifest in different ways on your skin; some may even be horribly disfiguring if not diagnosed in the early stages.

Your team of medical professionals at your skin cancer clinic will help you understand what can be expected when living with melanoma skin cancer. In general, the first step in the process of removing skin cancer is to remove the actual lesion from the skin. Once the lesion, or lesions, has been removed from your skin, the next steps will vary greatly on your types of skin cancer. Radiation therapy, along with a round of chemotherapy is generally the course of skin cancer treatment that you can expect.

Remember that the earlier your types of skin cancer are diagnosed and identified, the much more effective your course of treatment will be. Early detection can save lives – the next life it saves could be yours!