Skin Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Executive Summary about Skin Cancer Symptoms by Steven Godlewski

The main cause of skin cancer is from ultraviolet radiation from spending too much time in the sun. Discovering the signs of skin cancer early, and avoiding overexposure to the sun are the two greatest ways to prevent skin cancer.

You can see why it is important to keep our skin healthy and free from any signs of skin cancer symptoms. The majority of skin cancers are classified as non-melanoma or melanoma.

Non-melanoma skin cancer will develop on those areas of the body that are the most exposed to the sun.

Melanoma, a common skin cancer, begins in the cells that produce the skin pigment or coloring known as melanin. Melanoma accounts for a small percentage of skin cancer, but it is far more dangerous and life threatening than non-melanoma skin cancer.

The signs of skin cancer include family history of skin cancer, multiple moles, a fair complexion, exposure to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, and radium, and severe sunburn as a child.

Your body will show early signs of skin cancer symptoms, and both patients and doctors play an important role in finding signs of skin cancer. If you believe you have signs of skin cancer or have any change on the skin, consult your doctor. Any change can be a sign of skin cancer, like the size and color of a mole, or a growth that is darkly pigmented, or a new growth on the skin. If you have a change in the appearance of any bump or nodule, or if you have oozing, bleeding or scaling of the skin you should contact your doctor. Another sign of skin cancer to look for is if the color of the pigmentation spreads beyond the border of a mole or mark. Another sign of skin cancer would be a change in sensations to your skin, for example, itchiness, tenderness, or pain, it’s time to go to your doctor.

Using a sunscreen of SPF 15 or above when outdoors will help you protect your skin from skin cancer. A wide-brimmed hat is the best choice but if you are wearing a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.

Your eyes also need protection from developing signs of skin cancer. Sunglasses with 99-100 percent UV absorption are recommended when you are in the sun.

How to Manage Skin Cancer Symptoms and Treatments

Executive Summary about Skin Cancer Symptoms by Jason Jantzi

First, understand that there are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Once skin cancer spreads, it is much more difficult to treat, so early detection is vital.

Second, recognize the most common causes of skin cancer: heredity (if there is a history of skin cancer in your family, your chances of contracting it are higher than normal), damage to DNA, exposure to ultraviolet rays, over-exposure to sunlight, and exposure to certain deadly chemicals. If any of these causes sound like they might apply in your case, pay close attention to the skin cancer symptoms described next.

Third, be aware of the common symptoms of skin cancer: skin discoloration, blotches and patches on the skin, irritation and redness. Melanoma occurs in moles on your body.

Fourth, consider the standard and alternative treatment options that are available to treat skin cancer. Most melanomas need to be surgically removed. However other skin cancers may be treated by removing affected and surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy and cryotherapy may also be available if the cancer is low risk and treated early. In cases where cancer has already spread and metastasized, then surgery and/or chemotherapy may be required.

So, how do you stack the odds in your favor? By managing your symptoms and treatment results carefully and systematically. Keep a journal of any symptom of skin cancer that you may encounter.

If you are taking medication, keep a record of what you take and when. Is it helping the symptoms? Are there any side effects? Keep track of when side effects occur and how severe they are. Having this information handy will help your doctor prescribe the treatment that best addresses your overall health.

Skin cancer is a serious disease, and you need to use every tool at your disposal to make sure you get the best health care possible.

You may want to check out my other guide on Colon Cancer Symptoms

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