| If you had skin cancer, would you know it? | | | | into a melanoma. |
| For many people, the answer to this question is no. | | | | Normal, typical moles are usually small, uniform in |
| They don't know how to look for signs of skin | | | | color, and symmetrical (the two sides look the same). |
| cancer on their own skin. Because of this, if they get | | | | They have sharp, regular borders, and they are |
| skin cancer, they may not spot it promptly. | | | | usually located on parts of your body that are |
| Most types of skin cancer can be treated quickly and | | | | exposed to the sun. Most of them first appear |
| easily if they are found early. But if the diagnosis is | | | | sometime between early childhood and age 40, and |
| delayed, the cancer can spread. In the case of | | | | the moles on a particular person's body all tend to |
| melanoma, this can be fatal. Even for less serious skin | | | | look the same. Moles that fit this description are of |
| cancers, such as the very common basal cell | | | | no concern. |
| carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, delayed | | | | Moles that should be brought to a doctor's attention |
| detection can lead to complications. | | | | include: |
| So how do you spot skin cancer? The key is | | | | - Moles that are present at birth |
| knowing your own skin and being aware of changes | | | | - Moles that first appear during middle age or later |
| in it. | | | | - Any mole that has changed in appearance |
| The best way to do this is to learn how to do a | | | | - Any mole that itches or bleeds |
| complete skin self-examination. To do this, you need | | | | - Any mole that shows one of the "ABCD" signs of |
| a full-length mirror, a hand mirror, and a place where | | | | an atypical mole. Doctors use the ABCD mnemonic to |
| you can use them in privacy. Stand in front of the | | | | help patients remember some of the differences |
| full-length mirror and look carefully at the skin on | | | | between atypical moles and typical ones. |
| every part of your body that you can see. Get to | | | | The four letters stand for the following: |
| know your moles, marks, and other skin irregularities. | | | | "A" stands for "Asymmetry." A mole that is not |
| Then, use the hand mirror to help you look at the | | | | symmetrical (that is, one in which one half doesn't |
| places on your body that you can't see with just one | | | | look like the other half) is an atypical mole. |
| mirror. Again, take note of any marks that you see. | | | | "B" stands for "Border Irregularity." A mole with a |
| Once you're familiar with what your skin normally | | | | ragged or blurred edge or with notches in the edge is |
| looks like, you'll be prepared to spot changes. Any | | | | atypical. |
| new change in your skin should be brought to the | | | | "C" stands for "Color." A mole that contains a variety |
| attention of a doctor, preferably a dermatologist (a | | | | of different colors or shades is atypical. |
| doctor who specializes in treating skin problems). | | | | "D" stands for "Diameter." A mole with a diameter |
| Most changes will turn out not to be skin cancer, but | | | | larger than that of a pencil eraser is atypical. |
| it's worth the trouble of having them checked out. | | | | All atypical moles - and any other skin changes or |
| Changes that you should particularly look for, | | | | irregularities that concern you - should be examined |
| according to the American Academy of Dermatology, | | | | by a doctor. Often, the doctor can tell just by looking |
| include the following: | | | | (sometimes with the aid of a magnifying device called |
| - A sore that never really heals | | | | a dermatoscope) that the unusual-looking area is not |
| - A translucent growth, perhaps with rolled edges | | | | skin cancer. In other instances, the doctor may need |
| - A dark streak under one of your fingernails or | | | | to perform a biopsy. This is a simple diagnostic test, |
| toenails | | | | performed in the doctor's office, in which a sample of |
| - A cluster of shiny pinkish or reddish areas that | | | | the abnormal area is removed and sent to a |
| grows slowly | | | | laboratory to be examined under a microscope. |
| - A scar with a waxy feel to it | | | | If you do spot an abnormality on your skin, there's |
| - A flat or slightly depressed area that feels hard | | | | no need to panic. Even if the abnormality turns out |
| When you're looking at your skin, it's especially | | | | to be skin cancer (and it probably won't), it will |
| important to examine all moles carefully. Most moles | | | | almost certainly be curable. The important thing is to |
| are perfectly normal, but it's possible for an | | | | show the abnormality to a doctor promptly so that if |
| unusual-looking mole to be a melanoma or to turn | | | | it is skin cancer, it can be treated right away. |