Skin Cancer Warning Sign and Self Examination

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Before skin cancer become cancerous, there is a state where it is in "in situ" stage. So, the best thing we can do is to prevent skin cancer before it is become cancerous or at least when skin cancer still in early stage. Since, the skin cancer warning sign is pretty obvious if we want to observe it carefully.

Self examination is one of the good starts to see mole or ward that seems suspicious and can lead to early detection of skin cancer. Since, skin cancer early detected and treated in its early stages is 95% curable disease. Many dermatologists encourage people to do regular self-skin examination because research shows that this exam can lead to early detection of skin cancer, which can save your life. When skin cancer is detected early, most skin cancers can be successfully treated. Even melanoma skin cancer one of the most deadly form skin cancers have high curable percentage if detected and treated early.


The best time to do self examination is after a shower or bath. Make sure when you checking skin in a room with plenty of light, use a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It's best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles, and other marks.

This self examination for skin cancer means checking your own skin every three to six months. It's useful to know any abnormal growth or unusual changes in the size, color, shape or texture of your skin which might be sign of skin cancer. It is important for you or your partner to look carefully whole body as skin cancer can occur anywhere.

Check for anything change:

• New mole (whether it's looks different from other moles).
• New red or darker color flaky patch that have diameter larger than 3 millimeters.
• New flesh-colored firm bump.
• The change of the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole.
• Sore that does not heal normally.

Body area you should check:

• Make sure to check yourself from head to toe. Don't forget to check your back, scalp, genital area, and between your buttocks.
• Look at your face, neck, ears, and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move your hair so that you can see better, or ask help your family or friend to check it. Well, if you do it yourself, it may be hard to check your scalp by yourself.
• Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror. Then, raise your arms and look at your left and right sides.
• Bend your elbows. Look carefully at your fingernails, palms, forearms (including the undersides), and upper arms.
• Examine the back, front, and sides of your legs. Also look around your genital area and between your buttocks.
• Sit and closely examine your feet, including your toenails, your soles, and the spaces between your toes.

The self-skin exam takes no more than 8 to 10 minutes, but that 10 minutes could save your life. The best time to do self-skin exam is at the time of taking bath or after a shower. If you are concerned about developing any form of skin cancer, consult your primary health care provider or dermatologist as soon as possible.

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