Five Signs of Skin Cancer - Identifying Skin Cancer

Five Signs of Skin Cancer - Identifying Skin Cancer

The five signs of skin cancer are a general guide used in identifying this disease. More often than not, people don't really know what to look for until something drastic and ugly appears on their skin. The biggest concern to look for is always `change`. Change in color, change in shape, change in size, elevation, etc.

Whether you go to a dermatologist or see your primary care doctor, they both will likely tell you the same thing if the condition is precancerous. If you were to have a precancerous basal cell, you may be told to keep an eye on it and be watching for changes. That has been my experience.

Some cancers develop very slowly, but that's not always the case. For example, basal cell usually does not spread, but could. It is usually not aggressive, but could be. It's important to try to recognize spots of concern on your skin while they are precancerous. That precancerous basal cell could develop into basil cell carcinoma without you realizing it.

The five signs of skin cancer guide can be very helpful in raising your awareness of changes taking place on your skin and identifying it in its early stages.

Your better off if you can spot it even before your doctor. Another point worth mentioning is that your primary care doctor is less likely to take it seriously as a dermatologist would. And always let your dermatologist know every detail, including a history of skin cancer in your family.

O K, by now you're probably wondering when I'm going to get to the five signs of skin cancer. So here they are; think of them as an A-B-C-D-E guide.

• A - is for Asymmetry The two halves do not match. Normally freckles and moles do have equal sides. See your doctor if the two sides are not the same.

• B - is for Border Any mole, spot or freckle that has jagged, blurry or undefined and rough edges, See your doctor.

• C - is for Color Usually, normal spots are all one color. If you're seeing more than one hue or the color is changing, becoming lighter or darker, then see your doctor.

• D - is for Diameter Anything larger than a pencil eraser, about ¼ inch or 6mm. Even if it doesn't have any of the other signs, it needs to be checked out by a doctor.

• E - is for Evolving Any mole, freckle or lesion that looks different from the rest or starts changing, itching or elevating, Again, see your doctor.

This guide can be generally used for all types of skin cancer, but I might add that it does not always appear exactly as described in the five signs of skin cancer. Mine did not and it was not recognized by a general physician.

3 types of skin cancers most common are Basil Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. To learn more, including rare types, you may visit my informational site shown below.

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