Fall is a great time to self-check for signs of skin cancer.
There was plenty of sun over this Michigan summer.
Spending time in that sun exposes everyone — and their skin — to a potentially harmful amount of UV (ultraviolet) rays.
Even though skin may be layered with sunscreen, there’s still a chance for skin damage.
As we move deeper into the fall, now is a good time to check for any potential signs of skin cancer.
Self-exams
Knowing the signs and symptoms of skin cancer is critical to catching the disease early and receiving treatment while it’s in its earliest stage.
When performing a self-exam, here are the signs to look out for:
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Unusual moles, sores, lumps, blemishes, markings, or changes in the way an area of the skin looks or feels
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Rough or scaly red patches, which might crust or bleed
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Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center
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Open sores (which may have oozing or crusted areas) that do not heal, or that heal and then come back
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Wart-like growths
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Dark or pigmented skin lesions with irregular edges or color change
Melanoma
The Skin Cancer Foundation provides some additional signs to look out for that may indicate melanoma.
Melanoma is a less common type of skin cancer that is more likely to spread to lymph nodes and other organs of the body.
The signs are called the ABCDEs of melanoma:
A – Asymmetry: One half of a mole or spot does not match the other half.
B – Border: The outside edge is irregular, ragged, or scalloped, and not smooth.
C – Color: The color of the mole is not the same all over. There can be shades of black, brown, white, blue or red.
D – Diameter or Dark: The area is larger than an eraser on the end of a pencil (6mm) or the area is getting larger. Also, if the lesion is darker than others, this may be a sign of skin damage or cancer.
E – Evolving: Any changes or any new symptoms can be a warning sign.
View the types of skin cancer from the American Cancer Society.
Take any concerns to a physician attention, to allow him or her to examine the area, run tests if needed and potentially make a referral to a specialist.
Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Health Care
Learn more about Karmanos Cancer Care provided at McLaren locations.
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