How to Watch for Skin Cancer
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How to Watch for Skin Cancer
Introduction
Skin cancer is very common. In fact, it is the most common type of cancer in the United Sates. More than one million cases diagnosed annually. While that statistic may be frightening, the good news is that when detected early, skin cancer has a 95 percent cure rate. Early detection requires vigilance for skin cancer symptoms. Vigilance requires frequent self-examinations of skin. Self-examinations can be done by following these simple steps.
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Things You'll Need
- Hand-held mirror
- Full length mirror
- Well lit room
- Chair
- Stool
Steps
1
Step One
Start your self-examination in a room with a full length mirror and good lighting.
2
Step Two
Remove all of your clothing as skin cancer can sometimes occur in areas that are generally covered by clothes.
3
Step Three
Examine your skin carefully, using a handheld mirror to examine areas that cannot be seen using one mirror. These areas include the following: back, scalp, underarms, genitalia, buttocks, backs of legs and arms, elbows, back of neck and ears.
4
Step Four
Look for skin cancer symptoms: sores that do not heal within four weeks, marks under your nails that look like dark streaks, lesions that are hard when you touch them, translucent growths or slow growing red lesions or marks.
5
Step Five
Observe marks on skin for the ABCDa??s of skin cancer. These are as follows: asymmetry, border, color and diameter. Most skin cancers are asymmetrical whereas moles are typically symmetrical. The border of most skin cancers is scalloped or uneven. The color of skin cancer is brown, tan or black. This will eventually turn to blue and red as the cancer worsens. Lastly, skin cancer is large in diameter.
6
Step Six
Notice if you have another symptom of skin cancer such as a mole that is bleeding or itches.
7
Step Seven
Repeat self-examinations at least every three months. Call your doctor immediately if you find a symptom of skin cancer.
Tips & Warnings
- Examine your skin regularly. By doing this you will become familiar with the marks on your skin. This will make monitoring changes easier.
- Keep a health journal, in which you note health issues including changes in your skin.
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