Early Skin Cancer Detection Is Vital
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer that is diagnosed every year. It is also one cancer that is easily detectable if you pay attention to your skin and perform a self examination regularly. In addition to skin cancer detection you should do everything you can to prevent skin cancer from ever starting.
As part of a routine physical your doctor should be examining your skin for any abnormal growths or discolrations. You should also be checking your own skin at least once a month. Checking your skin for skin cancer is quick, easy, and painless.
Conduct your self-examination in a room with good lighting and a full-length mirror. If you cannot see some of your skin during your examination, then use a hand-held mirror to see those tricky places. You should be familiar with any unique features of your skin during your first self-examination. If you notice that your skin has blemishes or discolorations, it is important to keep an eye on them to watch for change in growth or color for future exams. Check all over and see if there are any spots that you did not see before.
Start with your face and carefully work your way down the length of your body. You may need help for parts of your body that are hard to reach. Ask your spouse or trusted friend with help for your upper thighs and lower back. You can use a mirror to help you if you have no such assistance available.
Pay particular attention to those areas that receive a lot of exposure to the sun. You are looking for changes in the shape and size of any mole or discoloration in your skin. You can get detailed descriptions of the different types of skin cancers.
You should become familiar with the way skin cancer looks. If you find something that is suspicious you should show it to your doctor immediately. It may be nothing but the only way to know for sure is to have a professional look at it. Early skin cancer detection is the key to eliminating it on your skin.
The lighter your skin the more careful you need to be. Some ways to protect your skin include wearing sunscreen, covering exposed skin, and wearing hats. These precautions, along with knowing what skin cancer looks like are your best defenses.
Tags: Cancer