Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. This year it is estimated that there will be over 207,000 cases of melanoma in the country. About 101,000 of that will be the invasive type.
Being aware of your skin health
There’s no sure way to prevent cancer, but you can reduce your chance of developing it by applying sunscreen and doing regular skin checks.
With regular skin evaluation, you are more likely to catch melanoma and other types of skin cancer early on. The better you catch and treat it, the better is the treatment outcome.
What to watch out for
The ABCDE method will help you determine if a mole or any other skin lesion is cancerous or not:
Asymmetrical
Watch out for moles that are irregularly shaped or one half of it looks different from the other.
Border
Take a close look at the mole’s border. Is it smooth or jagged? A cancerous mole is not smooth and can be jagged or wavy.
Color
A normal mole is usually light pink to brown. A cancerous mole can have colors that vary from one area to another.
Diameter
Normally, a mole is usually less than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser in diameter). If it’s larger than that, then it’s something you need to get checked.
Evolving
Normal moles remain the same, but with cancerous moles, they tend to ‘evolve.’ They can change in appearances such as shape or color.
If you notice any of these unusual changes, don’t hesitate to see a specialist immediately.
Premier Surgical Associates of Knoxville and Cleveland, TN, has surgeons who are well-experienced in surgically treating skin cancer. You may request an appointment at any of our Premier Surgical offices by calling at (865) 306-5775 or visiting https://www.premiersurgical.com/request-appointment/.