If you have had excessive exposure to either the sun’s damaging rays or have spent extended time using a sun tanning bed, you may now find yourself spending time closely examining skin cancer pictures to help to determine if you are exhibiting skin cancer symptoms. To better understand what you are looking at when you closely examine pictures of skin cancer, it is important to understand the five signs of skin cancer.

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!