Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer existing in the world. It can strike at any age group. Most people do not consider skin cancer as a serious problem. However, it is important to know that the cancer can be really difficult to handle or even deadly if not treated directly.

It is important to keep on performing regular self examination so that you can come to know about the problem at an early stage.

Here are certain tips on examining your self for skin cancer so that the disease does not turn out to be serious or ugly in the future. While conducting a self examination, you should keep in mind that about 1 in 5 people can have some form of skin cancer in their entire lifetime.

Experts recommend that you need to check yourself for skin cancer on a monthly basis in order to spot the problem.

You would require some mirrors in order to see all parts of your body. Try to check the entire area of your body. You need to analyze your head, face and scalp in the mirror.

Gradually examine the other parts of your body. Make sure that you check the genital areas also check the portion between your toes well.

When doing a self examination for skin cancer, you must check for irregular moles. Usually, mal-formed moles are a result of malignant melanoma. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you find an asymmetrical mole on your body, consult your doctor.

Remember that most moles complete their growth prior to the age of twenty. In case, the mole on your body starts growing after the age of twenty, consult your doctor immediately.

Another important thing to check for irregularities on the borders of the mole. The borders should be well defined and uniform in growth. Another symptom of skin cancer is a mole that changes color to a dark red, black or white. This is a direct indication of development of skin cancer on your body.

Remember that early diagnosis may be the only way to surviving skin cancer. In case, you spot anything you might feel a problem, consult an oncologist or dermatologist on an immediate basis. A little caution from your side may do wonders to your body.

Moles on the body can turn in to cancerous melanomas. Hence it is very important to check your moles on a regular basis and talk to your doctor whenever you feel that there is a sign of danger.

The best thing to do is to follow a 4 step, A-B-C-D guide when checking your moles. In case, any of the points mentioned below are true, talk to your doctor right away.

a) Asymmetry

In case, ½ of the mole does not match the other half, there is a problem. Any mole or birthmark with skin growth that increases in size should be reported to doctor.

b) Border

The border of the mole should not be ragged, notched or blurred.

c) Color

In case, the mole is a mixture of brown, black and tan contact a doctor.

d) Diameter

A mole larger than pencil eraser is an important sign of skin cancer.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bertil_Hjert

Skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide. Because of this, much research is being done to offer sufferers the best possible hope for survival. Nearly all of these malignancies are curable if diagnosed and treated in the very early stages. Therefore, doctors recommend early, aggressive treatment for skin cancer patients.

Doctors consider a cancer treatment to be successful if the patient is alive and shows no signs of having the cancer present in his or her body five years after the date of diagnosis. The likelihood of successful treatment depends greatly on which type of skin cancer a person has.

Persons who have basal cell cancer, for example, are most likely to survive and experience successful treatment. Basal carcinomas grow extremely slowly and do not typically spread. In fact, the treatment success rate for these persons is higher than 99 percent. In comparison, those who have been diagnosed with squamous cell have a success rate just a bit higher than 95 percent. It can, however, metastasize to other organs through the bloodstream and lymph nodes if it does not get treated early.

People who have been diagnosed with a malignant melanoma have about an 88 percent chance of treatment success if they are treated before the cancer spreads. Approximately 80 percent of those diagnosed with melanoma are fortunate to find their cancers at this time. If their cancers have begun to spread to other body organs, only about 10 percent of these patients will live for as many as five years after being diagnosed.

Many different skin cancer treatments are available. Those cancers that have not spread can be treated with surgical removal, and this method of treatment is usually successful. If the cancer has spread, however, people may require other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.

Melanoma is extremely difficult to cure. Therefore, doctors typically resort to combinations of medicines, radiation, and chemotherapy. Sometimes other investigation treatments are attempted. Current procedures being trialed include photodynamic therapy, as well as some types of biological therapies.

How successful a treatment for skin cancer is depends largely on the amount of time the cancer has been present before it is found. Nearly all skin cancers can be cured if treated early. For this reason, it is important to be able to recognize the signs of skin cancer and see your doctor at once if you suspect anything at all unusual.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Hefner

Most people get skin cancer after frequent sun exposure over long periods of time. In fact, nearly 75 percent of the people diagnosed with skin cancer each year have histories of frequent sun exposure. Although it can occur after a severe sunburn, it is usually the result of many years of being in the sun. If it is a result of long-term exposure, you may be surprised to learn that you are at risk for skin cancer on your nose.

Do you think that spot on your nose might be cancerous? There are three main ways in which cancerous sores differ from other skin growths or marks. First, however, if you even think that this spot could be cancerous, schedule a visit with your doctor immediately! A definite diagnosis can be made only after a biopsy has been performed.

More than 99 percent of people diagnosed with skin cancer have one of three major types. The first of these is basal cell skin cancer. People who develop these sores find that a scab or pimple grows on their skin, drains or bleeds, and scabs over again. Rather than healing, however, it continues to repeat this cycle. In comparison, squamous skin cancer often looks much like basal carcinomas. They may also look like rough, scaly skin patches that do not disappear.

These first two types of cancer usually appear in areas, such as the nose, that frequently receive direct sun. The skin on the nose is very tender, and is at high risk for developing a nonmelanoma cancer. Both of these types are very treatable when removed surgically.

Usually, people develop nonmelanoma cancers on the face or nose, but sometimes a melanoma can occur on a person's face. Because this type of cancer spreads rapidly, it can be deadly if not detected and treated very early. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between the two types. This is why seeing a doctor as soon as you notice something wrong is so important.

If you believe you might have skin cancer on your nose, schedule an appointment with your doctor right away to get it checked. Skin cancers are almost always treated successfully if you are able to catch it in the very early stages. Your life may depend on early detection and diagnosis of that bothersome sore on your nose, so don't delay!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Hefner