Know the Warning Signs of Melanoma and Skin Cancer

Many people know they should wear sunscreen every day. But do you know what symptoms may be a sign of skin cancer or melanoma? May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, so let’s take a look at how you can catch it early.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. Unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer, and it is the most dangerous. It is mainly caused by intense exposure to the sun or tanning beds and kills more than 10,000 people in the U.S. each year. If caught early, melanoma is treatable, but if it spreads, it can be fatal. Learn about the four types of melanoma.

Watch for Melanoma

You are at a higher risk for melanoma if you have a family history and/or have more than 100 moles. Other risk factors include fair skin/hair, frequent sunburns, and a weakened immune system. Melanomas look like moles and some may develop from moles, so it’s best to check your skin regularly for odd spots. Most are black or brown, but they might be pink, blue, white, purple, or skin-colored. You may have heard of the ABCDE’s of moles and spots:

• A = Asymmetry: If you draw a line through the mole and the two halves do not match, it is asymmetrical – a warning sign for melanoma.
• B = Border: Normal moles have an even border. A melanoma has uneven edges.
• C = Color: Moles should be one single color and some shade of brown. Melanomas have more than one color and can even have odd colors such as purple or blue.
• D = Diameter: Moles should be no larger than your pencil eraser. (¼ inch or 6mm across) If your mole is larger, get it checked.
• E = Evolving: If a mole changes over time, it may be a warning sign. If your moles and spots are changing year to year, have a dermatologist take a look.

Other Skin Cancers

Although Melanoma is the most deadly, other types of skin cancers are more common. Watch for any changes in your skin, including open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, lesions, elevated growths with a central depression, or warts; those that crust or bleed.

Protect Your Skin

You can help prevent skin cancer by taking care of your skin:

• Stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10AM and 4PM
• Use sunscreen with SPF-15 or higher. Put on sunscreen every two hours and after you swim or sweat.
• Don’t get sunburned.
• Avoid tanning beds.
• Cover up with long sleeves and a hat.
• Check your skin regularly for changes.

Concerned about your skin? Contact our Generations Family Practice providers for your annual skin checkup.