6 Ways to Detect Skin Cancer Early

Cancer has become a widespread disease in the world. Out of which skin cancer has been affecting millions of Americans every year.  Here are 6 ways suggested by experts to detect it early. 

What Causes Skin Cancer?

Piled-up dead skin cells or abnormal skin growth when exposed to the sun often lead to cancer. There are 3 types of common skin cancer:

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
3. Melanoma

Older adults with vulnerable immune systems, individuals who lack melanin, and those who are over-exposed to direct sunlight repeatedly are often affected by skin cancer.  

Cancer in the skin is caused by UV rays. Thus, overuse of tanning beds can also be dangerous. It is also one of the few cancers that can go undiagnosed for decades due to its dormant nature in the beginning stage. 

Since carcinomas spread slowly and deeply, they can affect a huge area making the disease life-threatening in its final stages. 

Can Skin Cancer Go Away on Its Own?

Only the rarest skin carcinoma called Keratoacanthoma is only cancer known to go away on its own. While there are a few cases of aggressive melanoma not spreading fast enough and going away on its own in a few patients. 

6 Ways to Detect Skin Cancer

Doctors usually suggest superficial therapy if it’s small while deep or widespread cancer can be treated by radiation and targeted therapy agents for advanced stages. Apart from that they also insist on immunotherapy as a post-recovery medication.   

Dr. Meredith McKean, associate director of the melanoma and skin cancer research program at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute says, “The earlier it’s diagnosed, the smaller the lesion is, the easier that surgical removal is and the lower the risk of cancer coming back elsewhere.”

Let’s see six ways to detect skin carcinoma that usually develop on skin regions that are highly exposed:

1. A pearly or waxy bump or a bruise or sore that heals and returns.
2. Pigment, redness, or swelling that spreads outside the border of a spot to the surrounding skin. Blurry vision or partial loss of sight, or dark spots in the iris.
3. A lesion like a brown scar or fleshy color that may itch or burn. 
4. A red nodule that is firm and prominent.
5. Unusual dark speckles on your palms, soles, fingertips, or toes, or mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina, or anus.
6. Asymmetrical moles or moles that change in texture, or scales, oozing or bleeding.

Other than the above common symptoms various other symptoms can be because of skin cancer and thus, it is necessary to always get any unusual internal or external changes checked out at the earliest. 

Prevention 

Fair-skinned people are more likely to get skin cancer since they lack melanin that functions as a protection against UV rays. Regardless of your skin color, protection against the sun from childhood. Dr. Meredith McKean also added that “Prevention starts at a young age with sunscreen and sun health. The earlier these tumors are diagnosed, the best chance of survival.”

Check out more ways to prevent skin cancer here.