Some Signs Of Skin Cancer That You Should Look For

Posted on: 28 January 2015

Skin cancer is very serious and more common than you think. In fact, roughly 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. This is why it is so important that you learn the early warning signs of skin cancer so that you can see a doctor and begin treatment right away. In some cases you will need cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, and in other cases you might need surgery. The first step is diagnosis. Here is what you need to look for.

1. Pay Close Attention To Your Moles

Moles are one of the biggest indicators that you have skin cancer. You should be watching how your moles are changing and if there are any abnormalities.

First of all look at how the mole is shaped. A normal mole should be symmetrical and have a border around it. A mole that is compromised will have a weird shape, not in a nice circle, and there will be no border. It will look like the mole is bleeding and spreading. In addition, it may not be raised off the skin like a normal mole would look. So a perfectly circled mole with a border is nothing to worry about, but anything that varies from that should be looked at.

Second, you should pay close attention to the color of the mole. If you notice that the mole is darker in certain areas and lighter in others this is a concern. A mole that is all the same color should be fine. Additionally, if the mole is large that is also worrisome.

Lastly, a healthy mole should stay the same. A cancerous mole will be changing. Perhaps it is getting bigger, or other small moles start spreading around it. It might also change colors or change shapes. Any change in a mole should be looked at.

2. The Appearance of Farmer's Lip

Everybody gets chapped lips, but the appearance of Farmer's Lip is different. This is where you get large chapped sores on your lower lip. These sores will be persistent and could even cause your lips to swell and be painful. You might feel like your lips are always chapped and you are constantly getting these sores, or you have one particular sore that won't go away. These types of symptoms are worrisome and should be looked at.

If you notice any of these symptoms you should talk to a specialist like Countryside Dermatology & Laser Center right away. 

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