Skin cancer is a common cancer in many parts of the world and the main types you will encounter are melanoma and non-melanoma cancers. If these are detected early, treating and managing the cancer can be more effective. So it is important that you know which signs to watch for.
Dermatologists advise patients to check their skin regularly so that any issue can be discovered early.
If you are wondering how often should I check my skin,it is recommended to check it once a month. You can check your skin for spots freckles, moles and any other changes. You need to examine your entire body which includes areas that are not exposed to skin as well. Some areas that you may miss are under your fingernails and your toes. You can have somebody else examine your scale for any changes. It is also best if you can have a full body examination carried out by a dermatologist annually; this is very important for those with a family history of skin cancer, a history of significant sun exposure or having a lot of moles on the body. Sun exposure should be avoided and you should always be wearing SPF. Particularly in areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun, melanoma can occur. This is a type of skin cancer that starts in melanocytes that produces pigment in the skin.
You should know the signs of melanoma so that you will be able to identify these during your self-examination. This way you can book an appointment with your closest skin clinic. Check your skin to see if there is a new mole on the skin. If the mole is changing shape, size, has an irregular border or has carrying colours, this can be a cause for concern. Melanomas can change in shape and size very quickly. These can also appear to be bumpy. Some melanomas tend to become scaly while others can be uncomfortable as they can itch or bleed. Non-melanoma skin cancers will also frequently occur in areas of the body that are exposed to the sun. This will usually be your arms, neck or face. This is a very common type of skin cancer.
If you notice a persistent sore on your skin that doesn’t heal in a few weeks,
This can be a sign of non-melanoma cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma which is a type of non-melanoma cancer will look like a raised growth on your skin or a rough patch. Any growth that you notice on your skin that looks shiny or waxy can be a sign of basal cell carcinoma which is another type of non-melanoma cancer. There can be areas of the skin that are scaly or these can bleed very easily. You should also monitor your skin colour as there can be some areas that may have uneven colouring or change in colour. These signs can point towards non-melanoma cancer. To prevent these cancers, you need to protect your skin by using sunscreen and regularly applying it throughout the day, wearing protecting clothing and staying in the shade when you are outside during peak sun hours.
