how to examine your skin for skin cancer

2
How To Examine Your Skin For Skin Cancer Have you ever heard a doctor say that you should regularly check your skin? This is because skin cancer is usually easily detectable. The following article is going to tell you what you should look for and what need attention. When doing a skin check, search for new moles. Typically, the moles we have develop as children or young adults. However, it is possible to get new moles as we get older. Most of the time, these moles are harmless, but for some people, new moles could be a sign of skin cancer. It is recommended to look for new moles every month. Look at the shape, color, and size of each mole you have. Most harmless moles are no larger than a pencil dot and are circular shaped. As far as color goes, moles can be brown, black or even red. If you notice your moles to be getting larger or changing in color, you should immediate check with your dermatologist. Also, a normal mole should be just one color, so if you notice that it has two or more, you should see a dermatologist. Do not forget to check your whole body for moles. Many people just assume that moles develop on the back, legs and arms. In actuality, you can get moles anywhere on your body. Check your hair, separating each section to look for moles. For areas that are harder to see, such as your bottom or back of your legs, you may want to have a friend or spouse look for you. Once you have done a skin check, it may be wise to document any changes you notice and if you can, even take pictures of it. Documenting changes is helpful for a visit to the dermatologist, so they can see if the changes are harmless or need to be better looked into. Also, if you have taken monthly pictures of your moles, you may want to show them to your doctor as well. They may notice something suspicious that you have not yet noticed. It is important that you see your doctor for any changes you may notice, even if it seems like a small one. The reason that so many people get very sick or even die from skin cancer is because they did not take action soon enough. Skin cancer can usually be easily treated when detected early.

Upload: gwendolyn-sumner

Post on 08-Mar-2016

214 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

DESCRIPTION

you notice your moles to be getting larger or changing in color, you should immediate check with your

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: How To Examine Your Skin For Skin Cancer

How To Examine Your Skin For Skin Cancer Have you ever heard a doctor say that you should regularly check your skin? This is because skincancer is usually easily detectable. The following article is going to tell you what you should look forand what need attention. When doing a skin check, search for new moles. Typically, the moles we have develop as children oryoung adults. However, it is possible to get new moles as we get older. Most of the time, these molesare harmless, but for some people, new moles could be a sign of skin cancer. It is recommended tolook for new moles every month. Look at the shape, color, and size of each mole you have. Most harmless moles are no larger than apencil dot and are circular shaped. As far as color goes, moles can be brown, black or even red. Ifyou notice your moles to be getting larger or changing in color, you should immediate check with yourdermatologist. Also, a normal mole should be just one color, so if you notice that it has two or more,you should see a dermatologist. Do not forget to check your whole body for moles. Many people just assume that moles develop onthe back, legs and arms. In actuality, you can get moles anywhere on your body. Check your hair,separating each section to look for moles. For areas that are harder to see, such as your bottom orback of your legs, you may want to have a friend or spouse look for you. Once you have done a skin check, it may be wise to document any changes you notice and if youcan, even take pictures of it. Documenting changes is helpful for a visit to the dermatologist, so theycan see if the changes are harmless or need to be better looked into. Also, if you have taken monthlypictures of your moles, you may want to show them to your doctor as well. They may noticesomething suspicious that you have not yet noticed. It is important that you see your doctor for any changes you may notice, even if it seems like a smallone. The reason that so many people get very sick or even die from skin cancer is because they didnot take action soon enough. Skin cancer can usually be easily treated when detected early.

Page 2: How To Examine Your Skin For Skin Cancer

If one of your moles comes back suspicious, do not freak out right away. More testing may showsome irregularities, but it may not be something to worry about. If a mole comes back cancerous, tryto remain calm. There are many forms of skin cancer, so try to find out more about the kind you haveand participate in whatever treatment your doctor recommends. In conclusion, doctors tell their patients to regularly check their skin for a good reason; skin cancer isnothing to take lightly. Use the advice above as a guide for things you should watch for and thingsthat need to be examined. For more information click here