The 10 Early Skin Cancer Signs You Should Not Overlook

These developments have resulted in the use of medical marijuana as a way to treat skin cancers.
This has seen the medical use of marijuana as one of the methods to treat skin cancers.

Introduction

One in the most common cancers globally, and at the same time, one of the most preventable and treatable cancers, upon their early diagnosis. Thousands of new cases are diagnosed annually, though early diagnosis will determine whether an individual will go through a fast outpatient treatment or an extended medical experience.

Dr. Shaun Segal describes the symptoms of skin cancer at an early stage, self-examination of the skin, and a visit to the dermatologist in this blog. The aim is straightforward – to make you remain updated, remain alert and remain healthy.

Why Early Detection Matters

Early detection of skin cancer leads to saving of lives. The majority of them begin small and develop gradually, allowing you time to observe the differences – provided that you know what to pay attention to. Most skin cancers can be eliminated even at an early stage before they are able to penetrate deeper into the skin or to other areas of the body.

Skin cancer may get a lot more difficult to cure when not treated. That is the reason why self-checks and frequent visits to the dermatologist are so essential.

The Awareness of the Primary Forms of Skin Cancer

This is because there are three main types before you can be told the warning signs:

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
This is a type that is the most prevalent and is usually presented as a bump of pearl or a pink patch. It is slow growing and hardly spreading yet it might have local damages when overlooked.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Could present as a scaly and crusted sore or rough red patch. It is contagious when it is not treated in time.

Melanoma
The gravest one. It usually appears as a strange mole or a dark spot which evolves with time. It is important to diagnose melanoma at its early stages because it spreads fast.

The Rule of ABCDE of Moles and Spots

The ABCDE rule is one of the simplest methods of examining melanoma. All the letters are indicative of a mark that a mole or a spot could be cancerous:

A – Asymmetry: Half is not similar to the other half.
B – Border: The edges are jagged, blurred or irregular.
C – Colour: Irregular tones of brown, black, red or blue.
D – Diameter: Bigger than 6 mm (approximately the same size as a pencil eraser).
E – Evolving: The mole becomes different in size, shape or colour.

Any of your moles that fit any or all of these requirements are the reason to make an appointment with a professional to have your skin checked.

Typical Early Symptoms That Can Never Be Overlooked

1. A New Growth or Bump

When you see a new spot which does not appear like the old ones on your body, you should take note of this. New formations which appear glittering, pinkish, reddish or transparent can reveal basal cell carcinoma.

2. A Sore That Doesn’t Heal

A sore or blister or crust that takes weeks to heal, or re-open could be an indication of skin cancer. The normal healing period of the skin is two to three weeks – anything beyond that requires assessment.

3. Changes in an Existing Mole

When a mole instantly turns colour, raises or begins to itch or bleed it is a red flag. Melanoma is usually formed out of the already existing moles that start to develop.

4. Rough or Scaly Patches

Chronic rough patches particularly on the face or ears, neck or hands may be the result of squamous cell carcinoma. These are usually dry or gummy to the hand.

5. Dark Streaks Under Nails

Not all people know the fact that melanoma may grow even under nails. The dark line or streak that fails to clear away should also be examined as soon as possible.

How to Check Your Skin at Home

According to Dr. Shaun Segal, a complete self-examination should be done after every one month. It can only take approximately 10 minutes and may save your life.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Place oneself in front of a full length mirror in a good light.
  
  
• Look at your face, neck, ears and head. A hand mirror or the assistance of a loved one.
  
  
• Examine your arms and hands, palms and interfinger.
  
  
• Examine your chest, abdomen, armpits.
  
  
• Check your legs, in between and under toenails.
  
  
• Forgett not your buttocks and back. Mirrors may be used in difficult to reach places.
  
  

In case you noticed something new, strange, and changing, have a photo to follow it up and make an appointment with a dermatologist.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Even though skin cancer can develop in every single person, there are people who are more susceptible:

• Light or fair skin which burns easily.
  
  
• The history of frequent sunburns.
  
  
• Skin cancer in the family.
  
  
• Use of tanning beds.
  
  
• Many moles or frecks.
  
  
• Weakened immune system.
  
  

Should you belong to one or more of these, then frequent professional skin examinations are even more essential.

The Diagnosis of Skin Cancer by Dermatologists

In the course of skin check, Dr. Shaun Segal will closely inspect any severe spots with the help of a dermatoscope that is a tiny hand-held magnifier with light which aids in uncovering patterns under the skin surface.

Whenever anything appears abnormal, he can do a biopsy whereby a small sample is removed and used in a microscope. This is a fast and relatively painless process that can be used to establish whether a spot is benign or cancerous.

Early diagnosis implies minimal surgery, faster recovery, and significantly improved outcomes in the long term.

Therapy in the Case of Early Skin Cancer

Most skin cancers are non-malignant and therefore can be easily treated when they are detected early.

Common Options

• Simple Excision: Removal of the cancerous lesion with margin of the normal skin.
  
  
• Cryotherapy: This method involves the freezing of early cancers or precancerous cells using liquid nitrogen.
  
  
• Topical Therapies: Creams are prescribed and destroy tumor cells in the upper layers of the skin.
  
  
• Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): It involves the use of light and drug to treat cancerous cells.
  
  
• Mohs Micrographic Surgery: In complicated cases, this is a more specific surgery whereby the surgery is done in layers to guarantee clean margins and the least amount of scarring.
  
  

Depending on the type and location and stage of cancer, your dermatologist will select the optimal treatment.

It Is Better to Prevent than to Cure

Although treatment is effective in contemporary times, it is always easier to prevent skin cancer than to treat it as it occurs.

Dr. Shaun Segal recommends:

• Wearing sunscreen (SPF 30 or more) every day.
  
  
• Putting on broad-brimmed hats and speck block-sunglasses.
  
  
• The total avoidance of tanning beds.
  
  
• Taking shelter during the hours between 10 am and 4 pm.
  
  
• Using sunscreen again after every two hours or swimming.
  
  

All these little steps each day will save you a great deal of risk over your lifetime.

When to See Dr Shaun Segal

Make a reservation when you mention:

• A mole or point which appears not the same.
  
  
• A sore that doesn’t heal.
  
  
• Constant itching, bleeding, or crusting.
  
  
• Sudden alterations in the texture or colour of the skin.
  
  

It is always a good idea to get it checked even when you are not so sure. A lot of innocent diseases resemble cancer and it takes a trained eye to distinguish.

Live Your Best Life with Beautiful Skin

One can be afraid of skin cancer, yet knowledge is power. When you know what to look out, you will control your health. Self-examinations and examinations with the help of professionals enable you to recognize the issues at an early stage, when they are not severe.

Through modern treatment methods and specialization skills of a specialist such as Dr. Shaun Segal, a majority of patients are able to recover and resume a normal life.

Final Thoughts

Your skin is your history – take care of it.
Watch changes, be sun aware and never neglect suspicious spots. Skin cancer can be virtually cured when you treat it earlier.

In case of any concerns or when you see any changes on your skin, you should have your skin examined by Dr. Shaun Segal at once.
It is better to act early in order to save life.