Skin cancer can be cured, in many cases without the use of aggressive treatments which cause problematic side effects, if it is discovered in its early stages. This can be achieved if the cancer patient has taken an active role in discovering this sin disease early on, but it takes more than looking at a skin cancer symptom photo. Changes in behavior need to be promoted not only to prevent cancer of the skin but to detect it in its earliest stages, including performing skin self-examinations and getting checkups on a regular basis.

A person may benefit from seeing images of skin cancer in the sense that people often wait too long to see a doctor when they happen upon a skin irregularity without knowing that it may be a skin disease problem. Many types of skin cancer, however, closely resemble other types of skin problems, so a person may simply assume that they have cancer before visiting a doctor, and needlessly panic. Skin cancer images may give people an idea of what early warning signs to look for, but it is more important that they regularly receive medical examinations especially when they have any unanswered medical questions. People need to be able to visit a doctor regularly, and if they have this routine they can ask about any skin irregularities during their routine checkups.

While people generally receive the message that avoiding the sun and using sunscreen can help prevent skin cancer, and that tanning beds should not be used because of recent studies showing that they severely increase the risk of contracting melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, the message of early detection is generally lost. Whereas everybody knows what a breast examination is, they do not know that people need to perform regular examinations of their own skin. The first signs of cancer on the skin are visible on the skin, making skin examinations an extremely effective way to detect skin cancer when it can still be removed through a simple surgery, avoiding the need for aggressive treatment.

People can get a general idea of what cancer symptoms look like by looking at a skin cancer symptom photo, but some additional information is equally important. People should know about both melanoma and nonmelanoma cancer and their symptoms, and they should know about moles, or nevi. Irregular moles, known as dysplastic nevi, need to be watched for any changes, and a doctor should be consulted if any changes occur.



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Skin cancer is generally separated into two main categories, melanoma and nonmelanoma. Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. The nonmelanoma group encompasses all other skin cancers. The two most common forms of nonmelanoma skin cancer, squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma, are named for the squamous or basal cells which become cancerous.

The top layer of skin, the epidermis, is made up of basal and squamous cells. The surface of the skin is made of round, flat squamous cells, and below these are the basal cells. Hair follicles and sweat glands are in the dermis below the epidermis.

Treatment of basal or squamous cell carcinoma is usually very successful with no side effects if caught early enough. Since symptoms first appear on the skin, detection of skin cancer in its earliest stage of development is possible if you recognize it. These common cancers can be surgically removed if they have not advanced, making aggressive therapy unnecessary. The danger is in not recognizing the symptoms and not going to a doctor, or in contracting skin cancer in a place you wouldn't normally see it and failing to find it before it metastasizes. To avoid this, you should do regular skin self-examinations, checking for any possible skin cancer symptoms. If you find a small lump, rash, or sore which does not heal, you should ask your doctor if it may be skin cancer.

Melanoma is named for the melanocyte cells which give pigment to the skin and can become cancerous. These cells are located between the dermis and epidermis, and can form benign growths known as nevi, or moles. This occurs when the melanocyte cells reproduce too fast or fail to die, and accumulate into harmless growths which do not spread like cancer does. Most people have between 10 and 40 moles throughout their skin, but having a significantly higher number of nevi is a risk factor for melanoma, as is having dysplastic, or irregularly shaped, nevi. If new moles form, or if changes occur in existing moles, especially dysplastic nevi, you should see a doctor because this may be a symptom of melanoma. Watch for any changes in the skin surrounding a mole, or in the size, shape, or color of the mole.

Generally, if you have a skin anomaly which may be skin cancer, your doctor will perform a biopsy. If the possible tumor can be conveniently removed, the doctor will remove it completely and test it for cancer. No further treatment may be necessary; if the cancer has progressed, you may need topical radiation or chemotherapy, the surgical removal of local lymph nodes, or more aggressive treatment if the cancer has metastasized. If it is not treated, wandering cancerous skin cells can travel through the body and create additional tumors in other organs or systems.



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Melanoma is the deadliest of all skin cancers, perhaps more so for people of darker skinned races simply because the disease is harder to detect. The disease starts from mutated cells in your skin, generally collectively within a large mole. The disease can be very frightening for anyone who is infected, however with certain preventative measures you should never have to worry about developing the disease yourself.

There are three basic things to remember so that you do not put yourself at risk for melanoma: keep yourself out of the sun, examine your skin closely every month for outbreaks, and go in for a specialist check up every year. Essentially, if you do all these things you should be safe when it comes to skin cancer. It is important, however, that you do perform regular skin checks to be certain that all is well with the health of your skin.

Staying out of the sun is the most important thing you can do when trying to keep yourself safe from skin cancer and melanoma. UV rays from the sun damage your skin cells and can seriously increase your risk of developing cancer later in life. In fact, if you have had more than five sunburns in your life so far, your chances of developing skin cancer are doubled. It is greatly important that you not take the risk involved with suntanning! Sun beds are no better for you, either, so do not be fooled into thinking that you can achieve a nice suntan that way and still keep safe from the risks of cancer.

If you are really concerned about getting that bronze tan, perhaps you should strongly consider bronzing lotions or spray on fake tans. These may not sound particularly romantic, but they are necessary if you want to preserve the health of your skin and prolong your life, you need to stop sunbathing! Unfortunately, there is a strong part of our culture (and an ever growing one, at that) that states we all need a tan to look healthy. Where this came from is debatable, but the fact remains that this look, fashionable or not, can come at a very high price. If you do not want to risk contracting melanoma or another form of skin cancer, then by no means succumb to the pressure of the tan and cover your skin up! Long-sleeved clothing and sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher is the best defence if you do need to be outside.

Simply put, you do not want to contract melanoma. The disease has a decent survival rate, but that is not the point. Once you have developed melanoma once, the chances of the disease recurring are greatly increased. It is certainly best to steer well clear of the disease to begin with, and doing so is relatively simple. Even if you do stay out of the sun for the most part, it is important that you also give yourself a full monthly skin check to make sure that everything is all right. Ask your doctor or dermatologist how to properly check your skin for the early signs of melanoma so that you know what to look for. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of moles, fair skin and fair hair, that you are statistically more likely to develop the disease.

Use your own common sense, and remember how dangerous fashion can be. With all the tanning alternatives available now, there is no good reason to be out in the sun without some serious protection. Be vigilant, and be safe!



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