A To Z Health Care

Overview

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The key to successful treatment, though, is early detection which can be achieved through regular skin exams.

When to Perform A Skin Self Exam

You should perform a self skin exam every month. The best time is just after a shower or bath, and the goal is to get to know your body. It's also a good idea to teach young children how important it is that they get to know their bodies too. You'll need to check all parts of your body, even those that don't normally see any sunlight. Skin cancer can develop in areas that are usually covered, and also in people with dark skin. In fact some skin cancer is not always related to sun exposure.

What to Look For

During the exam, remember the ABCDEs. These are guidelines to help you determine whether a spot or bump may be something that should be checked by your doctor.

A. Stands for 'Asymmetry.' - Does your freckly or mole look uneven?

B. Stands for 'Border Irregularity.' - Are the edges irregular?

C. Stands for 'Color Variation.' - Are you seeing multiple colors within the lesion?

D. Stands for 'Diameter.' - Is it wider than 6mm?

E. Stands for 'Enlargement' or 'Evolution.' - Is the color, size or symptom changed?

In addition to the ABCDEs, you should also look for the following:

* A new mole
* Spots that itch, burn or bleed
* Red or dark colored flaky patch that is new
* New firm, flesh colored bump
* A sore that doesn't heal

If you do find a new spot on your body, or see that an existing mole or freckle has changed, it doesn't mean that you have cancer. But, you should get it checked out by your primary doctor or dermatologist.

How to Perform A Skin Self Exam

In order to perform a self skin exam, you'll need both a full length mirror and a handheld mirror for checking hard to see spots.

* Check your head. You should start with your head, checking your face, neck and ears. Be sure to check areas that are most exposed to the sun. It's also important to check your scalp. It may be helpful to use a comb or hairdryer to help part the hair so you can see the skin underneath.
* Look at your upper body. Step back and look at the front of your upper body, checking your shoulders and down to your waist. Then, turn around and look at the upper part of your back with a hand mirror. Again, check from your shoulders down to your waist. Now, lift one arm up and look at your side, including your armpit. Then repeat the process on the other side.
* Examine your arms. Bend your elbows, bringing your hands close to your face. Check your hands, fingernails and palms. Then move up the arm looking at the forearm, and remembering to look at both the top and bottom of the arm. Continue moving upwards to the upper arms (you may need the mirror here). Look at both the outer and under areas of the arms noting any changes.
* Examine your legs. The legs and upper back are the areas most prone to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, so it's important to be thorough here. In the mirror, look at both the front and back or your legs. Also check the area around the buttocks and genitals. Remember, skin cancers can even develop in areas that don't see much sun.
* Look at your feet. It's probably easier to sit down while you're doing this step. Look at both the top and bottom of your feet, and don't forget to check in the space between the toes. This step is especially important for people of color. Sixty percent of melanoma cases in African Americans occur on the feet.

A monthly skin self exam is easy and could save your life through the early detection of skin cancer.

What Is Skin Cancer?
The term skin cancer is used to describe a number of different cancerous conditions that affect the skin. There are two main categories of skin cancer: melanoma and non-melanoma cancers. Non-melanoma cases are the most common and the most curable types of skin cancer. Melanoma, though also curable w hen caught early, is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Types of Skin Cancer

There are a few different types of non-Melanoma skin cancers. Melanoma is in a class all on its own.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers

Basal Cell Carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma starts in the lowest layer of the epidermis, the basal layer. It is responsible for three out of four skin cancer cases, usually affecting areas maximally exposed to the sun, like the face. The most common forms look like small firm pale bumps, or a raised spot that is pearly and pink or reddish in color. These cancers spread slowly and respond very well to treatment.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This cancer also begins in the epidermis, but in the top layer. These look like lumps, with reddish and rougher surfaces and can start in the same areas of the body as the basal cell cancers.

A big difference between these two skin cancers is that squamous cell is more likely to spread, making it a bigger threat to your overall health.

Melanoma

Melanoma is also related to sun exposure but more so with a history of a bad sunburn in areas like the back and lower legs. This is much less common than basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, but melanoma is much more serious. What makes it so dangerous is the fact that it is more likely to spread to other organs in the body and can actually lead to death.

Melanoma starts in melanocytes, the cells that produce the color in skin. These cells make you tan or freckle in the summer and often, but not always, turn cancer cells brown or black, which is actually good. This way, you can spot this cancer before it's too late.

Preventing Skin Cancer

The reason the sun is harmful to your skin is because it contains dangerous ultraviolet light, or UV rays. Here are some ways to protect yourself and your children from these rays.

Stay Out Of The Sun For Extended Periods Of Time. This is especially important during the peak hours between 10 AM and 4PM. Remember, the UV rays are just as powerful on cloudy days as they are on sunny days.

Use Sunscreen Daily. Use a "broad spectrum" sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Fair-skinned people should use SPF 30 or higher. Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside and re-apply every 2 hours.

Wear Protective Clothing. This can include wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and clothing with a tight weave fabric. Also, darker colors will offer more protection.

Get To Know Your Skin. Check your skin for any changes, especially in moles and freckles. There are specific variables you should be aware of, which can be easily identified using the ABCDEs.

What Are The ABCDEs?

This is a simple way for you to remember what to look for in changes in your skin.

A. Stands for 'Asymmetry.' - Does your freckly or mole look uneven?

B. Stands for 'Border Irregularity.' - Are the edges irregular?

C. Stands for 'Color Variation.' - Are you seeing multiple colors within the lesion?

D. Stands for 'Diameter.' - Is it wider than 6 mm?

E. Stands for 'Enlargement' or 'Evolution.' - Is the color, size or symptom changed?

Treating Skin Cancer

The good news is that skin cancer, when detected early, is very curable. This includes melanoma.

If you spot any changes in your skin as described above, you should call your doctor. He or she may perform a biopsy to confirm the presence of skin cancer.

Treatment of skin cancer may include minor or office surgery, or something more extensive like radiation or chemotherapy. It depends on the type and stage of the skin cancer you have.

Some skin cancers are recurrent, even if already treated. So it's important to perform regular self-skin exams, especially if you've been diagnosed with skin cancer in the past.