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How To Find Out If You Have
Skin Cancer
by Logan
Pallas
The process of detecting skin cancer, the most common form
of cancer in the United States, can be practiced with a monthly self
examination combined with a yearly visit to your doctor. Early detection is key
because, if diagnosed soon enough, skin cancer is almost always curable.
There are three main types of skin cancer, all of which are visible if
you know what to look for. Melanoma, one of the main forms of skin cancer, is
the deadliest. This disease is the most difficult to stop after it has spread
throughout the body, which is why early detection and treatment are crucial.
Skin cancer, of any kind, can usually be treated with success in its early
stages.
As individuals, everyone has freckles, birthmarks and moles.
These are a part of you and you are used to seeing them, but you may not notice
slight changes right away and thats what you need to be watching for. Any
change in a moles shape, edges, size or color should be checked by a physician.
If a mole becomes larger than that of a pencil eraser or if its color is
multiple shades of brown rather than a solid color, these are both potential
warning signs of skin cancer. A moles border should be well defined and, if
that is no longer the case, notify your doctor. In addition, any sore that will
not heal or a mole that grows larger at a rapid speed should be tested
immediately.
Deciding to seek medical attention is difficult. For this
reason, its best to choose a physician that you are comfortable with, such as a
family doctor. He/she can examine your skin and refer you to a dermatologist if
needed. The presence of skin cancer is determined by removing all, or part, of
the questionable area and testing it with a microscope. Surgery is often
utilized in the removal of ski cancer and, if done in the early stages, can be
a very quick process. There will likely be a scar, but the physician may be
able to completely remove all cancerous cells with only a very small incision.
If the cancer has spread, or is very large in the defined area,
additional surgery may be required. In that case, chemotherapy or radiation
treatments may be ordered to ensure the cancer is completely removed. Your
physician will be able to answer all questions that you may have and should do
so without reserve. When meeting with a doctor, ask for an explanation of all
treatment options, including their likelihood for success in your particular
case. Deciding to seek medical attention is a big step and one that a patient
must be mentally prepared for.
This article should not be construed as
professional medical advice. If you, or someone that you know, is concerned
about the possibility of cancer, you should seek medical attention immediately.
A medical doctor can discuss various options, prevention and treatment
possibilities should the presence of cancer be detected. A series of tests may
be conducted in order to confirm, or rule out, any such diagnosis and can only
be done by a medical doctor.
About the Author: Dr. Logan Pallas is a cancer
researcher and journalist. He maintains a
skin cancer
resource directory at http://www.skincancercure.info which contains many
important skin cancer links.
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