How Do You Know if You Have Skin Cancer?
You can easily notice if you have skin cancer because the disease appears on the surface of your skin. The most usual indication of skin cancer is change in the skin’s appearance. The changes are usually accompanied by an abnormal growth of cells. This abnormal growth may appear on the surface of your skin in different forms. Here is an explanation about the usual types of skin cancer, together with their signs and symptoms:
Melanoma
Melanoma looks similar to a mole and may appear on your existing mole. How do you know if you have skin cancer that seems like a mole? Basically, the first thing you have to do is to know if you have moles on your skin, so that you can identify the early signs of melanoma. This type of skin cancer can be easily treated during its early stage of development. If left untreated, it can become a serious health problem. How do you know if you have skin cancer like melanoma?
Here are the signs and symptoms associated with melanoma:
• A mole on your skin is changing color, shape, and is growing.
• A mole bleeds and appears scaly.
• A dark spot appears on the surface of your skin. It grows rapidly and it looks similar to a mole.
• A new spot develops on the surface of your skin. It is painful, itchy, and bleeds easily.
• A black or brown spot appears underneath your toenail or fingernail.
• A bruise on your foot doesn’t seem to heal.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears on the part of your skin that is often exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays for extended periods of time. Your arms, neck, scalp, and ear are vulnerable to this type of skin cancer. However, squamous cell carcinoma can also appear in other parts of your body such as your lips, genitals, or even inside your mouth.
The main cause of squamous cell carcinoma is overexposure to the sun. However, overexposure to x-rays and strong chemicals can also cause this type of skin cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma usually appears reddish. If left untreated, this type of skin cancer can spread to the different parts of your body, and can lead to death. How do you know if you have skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma?
Here are the signs and symptoms associated with squamous cell carcinoma:
• A hard, red bump appears on the surface of your skin.
• An open sore that doesn’t seem to heal. Sometimes it itches and bleeds.
• A scaly patch appears on your lip. The skin on your lip can become thicker.
Basal cell carcinoma
The main cause of basal cell carcinoma is similar to squamous cell carcinoma, which is overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Likewise, your arms, neck, scalp, and ear are vulnerable to this type of skin cancer. Of course, this type of skin cancer can also appear in other parts of your body. How do you know if you have skin cancer like basal cell carcinoma?
Here are the signs and symptoms associated with basal cell carcinoma:
• A dry and reddish skin that doesn’t seem to heal.
• A pearl shaped or flesh colored lump appears on your skin.
• A pimple that doesn’t seem to disappear.
• A reoccurring sore that doesn’t seem to heal. It sometimes bleeds and causes pain.
• A white or yellow scar that looks smooth or lustrous.
• A group of shiny red growths that looks similar to sores. They tend to grow slowly and bleed easily.
• Yellow or white flat growth that feels hard when you touch it.
If you believe that you exhibit some of those signs and symptoms, it’s crucial that you visit your doctor as soon as possible.