Skin cancer is more easily treated than most other cancers. However, your chances improve if you find and monitor the cancer quickly. Skin cancer may metastasize and spread to other organs, greatly increasing your probability of dying, if it isn't discovered and treated. So you need to learn as much as you can about skin cancer's signs and potential effects.
The best thing you can do is monitor your skin closely and do a self-examination test monthly. By doing so, you can promptly notice if there are any visible changes in your skin at the early stages of skin cancer.
You should be watching for sudden growths on your skin that are asymmetrical in appearance. The borders of a skin cancer growth can be indistinguishable and it might have an uneven surface. A skin cancer can also be a brown, black, tan, white, red or blue color or a multitude of colors. If you notice a growth like this has made a sudden appearance you should have it checked out by your doctor immediately.
You should make special note of any cuts or wounds that don't heal, because these are possible signs of skin cancer. Several different kinds of skin cancer are known. You should have an idea of what each type looks like so that you can determine if you have any of them. If you are not certain, talk to your doctor about any odd skin growths or wounds that you encounter on your body.
Skin cancer is dangerous because it can spread to other parts of the body if it is not treated. Cancers that spread to multiple body parts are much more likely to be lethal. Skin cancer can spread rapidly once the cancerous cells are within other organs. By learning more about skin cancer and how to spot warning signs, people can better prepare themselves to prevent and minimize the associated risks. Through proper training, a self examination can help to recognize early symptoms of melanoma, and can be done by anybody in the privacy of their own home.
Skin cancer is a preventable condition that can be easily treated. You should do all that you can to prevent skin cancer by protecting your skin whenever you are exposed to sunlight. Overexposure to sun is one of the leading causes of skin cancer. Whenever you are out in the sun you should make sure to wear a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least fifteen.
Whenever you are directly exposed to the sun, use caps and wear protective clothing to reduce the sun's harmful rays. This should be the case not only in summer but throughout the year. Overexposure to the sun can be harmful in any season, but now you have a greater understanding of the potential harm and can better identify the symptoms and dangers of skin cancer.
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