What You Need To Know About Skin Cancer

Take steps to protect yourself and detect skin cancer before it makes its move.

Protect your skin

Sunscreen is an equal-opportunity provider. It doesn’t matter the color of your skin, it doesn’t matter how easily you tan. You still need it to protect yourself against skin cancer.

In our store, you can find a wide array of sunscreens. Each carries a sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the more you are protected from skin damage and skin cancer. Also look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen. That’s one that protects against both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B—rays that can increase your chances of skin cancer. If you have questions about any of this, be sure to check in with me.

Know the Signs

Here’s an easy way to remember what to look for—the ABCDEs of melanoma:

• Asymmetry – One-half the mole is different from the other half.
• Border – The edges are poorly defined, irregular, or scalloped.
• Color – The color varies from one area to another. It might be white, red, or blue. Or it might have shades of tan, brown, or black.
• Diameter – When first diagnosed, melanoma is often larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
• Evolving – Moles or skin lesions often look different from other moles. Or they may be changing in size, shape, or color.

Other ways Skin Cancer Appears

• A slowly growing thick patch of skin that looks like a scar
• Spots that are bleeding, painful, or itchy
• Band of dark skin around a toenail or fingernail or a dark streak under a nail

Do you find it hard to keep track of skin changes like these? Try using the Body Mole Map from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Examine Your Skin

Look for warning signs of melanoma by checking all areas of your body. So you don’t miss any areas, try to check in the same order each time. Don’t miss the soles of your feet and spaces between your toes. Use a hand mirror to check areas you can’t otherwise see, like your scalp, or the back of your neck. Better yet? Have your spouse or partner get trained in spotting skin cancer. A recent study showed how effective this can be.

See Your Doctor

If you have any of signs of melanoma or other skin cancer, do not wait to make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist, who is best trained in diagnosing skin cancer.

Remember, at some point in their lives, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. But If you catch it early, skin cancer is very treatable. Be sure to check out our past blog about choosing a sunscreen and caring for your skin in the fall and winter.

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice.  You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.