How To Know If It’s Skin Cancer

How To Do A Skin Self

The number one step of any skincare routine is not washing your face, applying retinol, or even removing your makeup before bed. Its a step frequently skipped, despite its importance: checking your skin for moles, abnormalities, and other signs of skin cancer.;;

In the US, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Thats over 9,500 diagnoses every single day.;The good news is that 99% of early-detected skin cancer cases are curable. Besides wearing sunscreen daily and staying out of the sun, a self-examination is one of the best ways to protect yourself. With tips from dermatologist Dr. Charu Sharma and The American Cancer Society, here is how to do a skin self-exam, how often, and what to look out for.

Looking For Signs Of Skin Cancer

Non melanoma skin cancers;tend to develop most often on skin that’s exposed to the sun.

To spot skin cancers early it helps to know how your skin normally looks. That way, you’ll notice any changes more easily.

To look at areas you cant see easily, you could try using a hand held mirror and reflect your skin onto another mirror. Or you could get your partner or a;friend to look. This is very important if you’re regularly outside in the sun for work or leisure.;

You can;take;a photo;of anything that doesn’t look quite right. If you can it’s a good idea to put a ruler or tape measure next to the abnormal area;when you take the photo. This;gives you a more accurate idea about its size and can help you tell if it’s changing. You can then show these pictures to your doctor.;

How Is Skin Cancer Of The Head And Neck Diagnosed

Diagnosis is made by clinical exam and a biopsy. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are staged by size and extent of growth. Basal cell cancers rarely metastasize to lymph nodes, but they can grow quite large and invade local structures. Squamous cell cancers have a much higher incidence of lymph node involvement in the neck and parotid gland and can spread along nerves.

Melanoma is staged, based not on size but on how deeply it invades the skin layers. Therefore, a superficial or shave biopsy will not provide accurate staging information used to guide treatment. Melanomas can have a very unpredictable course and may spread to distant organs. Melanomas with intermediate thickness often require sentinel node biopsy, a surgical procedure performed by a head and neck surgeon, to determine if microscopic spreading to lymph nodes has occurred.

You May Like: How Can You Get Skin Cancer

What Should I Look For When Checking My Skin

Look for any new moles or changes in your skin, especially any of the following:

• A new lump, growth or spot
• A change in size, shape, and/or color of an existing mole, lump or growth
• A sore that doesnt heal
• A red or brown patch thats rough and scaly
• A pink pearly bump that bleeds easily
• Any mole or spot that is asymmetrical, or has an irregular border or uneven color
• Any mole or spot larger than ¼ of an inch

Ways To Tell If A Mole Is Cancerous

by Health Writer

From childhood through age 40, our skin churns out between 10 to 40 moles, which are basically clusters of pigmented cells . By and large, these moles are harmless. Its actually rare for melanoma to arise from a pre-existing mole, says board-certified dermatologist Valerie M. Harvey, M.D., co-director of Hampton University Skin of Color Research Institute in Hampton, Virginia. Instead, 71% of melanomas appear as new spots, according to a 2017 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. To be vigilant, look out for new or changing moles and pay attention to moles that look distinct from the others, says Dr. Harvey. Here, the tell-tales to home in on.

Recommended Reading: How Bad Is Basal Cell Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer Diagnosis Always Requires A Skin Biopsy

When you see a dermatologist because youve found a spot that might be skin cancer, your dermatologist will examine the spot.

If the spot looks like it could be a skin cancer, your dermatologist will remove it all or part of it. This can easily be done during your appointment. The procedure that your dermatologist uses to remove the spot is called a skin biopsy.

Having a skin biopsy is essential. Its the only way to know whether you have skin cancer. Theres no other way to know for sure.

What your dermatologist removes will be looked at under a microscope. The doctor who examines the removed skin will look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, your biopsy report will tell you what type of skin cancer cells were found. When cancer cells arent found, your biopsy report will explain what was seen under the microscope.

Preparing For Your Appointment

If you have any concerns about the health of your skin, it is important to share them with your doctor. After making an appointment, there are steps you can take to prepare yourself and make the most of your time with your doctor.

Here are some things to consider and be prepared to discuss before visiting the clinic or hospital:

• What symptoms are you experiencing ?

• When did you first notice your symptoms?

• Have there been any major changes or stressors in your life recently?

• What medications and/or vitamins are you taking?

• What questions do you have for your doctor?

Also Check: How Common Is Renal Cell Carcinoma

Also Check: How Many People Survive Skin Cancer

How To Check For Skin Cancer

This article was medically reviewed by . Dr. Litza is a board certified Family Medicine Physician in Wisconsin. She is a practicing Physician and taught as a Clinical Professor for 13 years, after receiving her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health in 1998.There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 786,826 times.

Early detection of skin cancer is important and can be lifesaving, especially for certain types of skin cancer such as melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is estimated that 76,380 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2016 and over 13,000 will die from the skin cancer.XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Cancer SocietyNonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and supportGo to source Given that timing is so crucial to diagnosing and treating skin cancer, you should follow a few simple steps to learn how to detect skin cancer on your skin.

How Common Is Melanoma

Melanoma accounts for only about 1% of all skin cancers, but causes the great majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Its one of the most common cancers in young people under 30, especially in young women.

Melanoma incidence has dramatically increased over the past 30 years. Its widely accepted that increasing levels of ultraviolet exposure are one of the main reasons for this rapid rise in the number of melanoma cases.

Don’t Miss: How Deadly Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma

What Are The Signs Of Melanoma

Knowing how to spot melanoma is important because early melanomas are highly treatable. Melanoma can appear as moles, scaly patches, open sores or raised bumps.

Use the American Academy of Dermatology’s “ABCDE” memory device to learn the warning signs that a spot on your skin may be melanoma:

• Asymmetry: One half does not match the other half.
• Border: The edges are not smooth.
• Color: The color is mottled and uneven, with shades of brown, black, gray, red or white.
• Diameter: The spot is greater than the tip of a pencil eraser .
• Evolving: The spot is new or changing in size, shape or color.

Some melanomas don’t fit the ABCDE rule, so tell your doctor about any sores that won’t go away, unusual bumps or rashes or changes in your skin or in any existing moles.

Another tool to recognize melanoma is the ugly duckling sign. If one of your moles looks different from the others, its the ugly duckling and should be seen by a dermatologist.

How Is Melanoma Diagnosed

If you have a mole or other spot that looks suspicious, your doctor may remove it and look at it under the microscope to see if it contains cancer cells. This is called a biopsy.

After your doctor receives the skin biopsy results showing evidence of melanoma cells, the next step is to determine if the melanoma has spread. This is called staging. Once diagnosed, melanoma will be categorized based on several factors, such as how deeply it has spread and its appearance under the microscope. Tumor thickness is the most important characteristic in predicting outcomes.

Melanomas are grouped into the following stages:

• Stage 0 : The melanoma is only in the top layer of skin .
• Stage I: Low-risk primary melanoma with no evidence of spread. This stage is generally curable with surgery.
• Stage II: Features are present that indicate higher risk of recurrence, but there is no evidence of spread.
• Stage III: The melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes or nearby skin.
• Stage IV: The melanoma has spread to more distant lymph nodes or skin or has spread to internal organs.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Know If You Have Basal Cell Carcinoma

Warning Signs Of Skin Cancer To Pay Attention To

According to the World Health Organization , there are approximately 132,000 cases of melanoma and 2 to 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers diagnosed worldwide annually.

Signs of skin cancer can be subtle and difficult to identify, which can result in a delayed diagnosis. Being aware of the 7 most typical warning signs is the best way to prevent the most serious or fatal outcomes of a skin cancer by ensuring its earliest possible detection and diagnosis.

The 7 Signs

1. Changes in Appearance

Changes in the appearance of a mole or lesion is the simplest way to identify that something may not be right. While melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, it is also the deadliest. Melanoma often appear as regular moles, but usually can be differentiated by some distinct characteristics. Use the ABCDE method to remember and detect these differences:

ASYMMETRY

The shape of the mole or lesion in question does not have matching halves.

BORDER

The edges of the mole or lesion are not clear. The color seems ragged or blurred, or may have spread into surrounding skin.

COLOR

The color is uneven. Different colors such as black, brown, tan, white, grey, pink, red or blue may be seen.

DIAMETER

If the suspicious mole or lesion changes in size there may be a problem. Increasing is more regular, but shrinking may also occur. Melanomas are typically a minimum of ¼ inch, or the size of a pencil eraser.

EVOLVING

ELEVATED moles that seem to stick out further on your skin.

5. Impaired Vision

Signs And Symptoms Of Cancer

Signs and symptoms are ways the body lets you know that you have an injury, illness, or disease.

• A;sign, such as fever or bleeding, can be seen or measured by someone else. ;
• A symptom, such as pain or fatigue,;is felt or noticed by the person who has it.

Signs and symptoms of cancer depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects nearby organs or tissues. If a cancer has spread , signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body.

Recommended Reading: Can Renal Cell Carcinoma Be Benign

What Tests Are Used To Stage Melanoma

There are several tests your doctor can use to stage your melanoma. Your doctor may use these tests:

• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Patients with melanomas deeper than 0.8 mm, those who have ulceration under the microscope in tumors of any size or other less common concerning features under the microscope, may need a biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes to determine if the melanoma has spread. Patients diagnosed via a sentinel lymph node biopsy have higher survival rates than those diagnosed with melanoma in lymph nodes via physical exam.
• Computed Tomography scan: A CT scan can show if melanoma is in your internal organs.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan: An MRI scan is used to check for melanoma tumors in the brain or spinal cord.
• Positron Emission Tomography scan: A PET scan can check for melanoma in lymph nodes and other parts of your body distant from the original melanoma skin spot.
• Blood work: Blood tests may be used to measure lactate dehydrogenase before treatment. Other tests include blood chemistry levels and blood cell counts.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Skin Cancer On The Rise

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of skin cancer that affects about 2,000 people in the United States each year.

Though its an uncommon skin cancer, cases of Merkel cell carcinoma have increased rapidly in the last couple of decades.

This type of cancer starts when cells in the skin, called Merkel cells, start to grow out of control.

Merkel cell carcinomas typically grow quickly and can be difficult to treat if they spread.

They can start anywhere on the body, but Merkel cell carcinomas commonly affect areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, and arms.

They may look like pink, red, or purple lumps that are firm when you touch them. Sometimes, they can open up as ulcers or sores.

Risk factors include:

Recommended Reading: What Happens When You Have Skin Cancer

Signs That Warrant An Immediate Trip To A Doctor

Some common cancer signs that should result in a visit to the emergency room or to a doctor as soon as possible include:

• coughing up mucus tinged with blood
• blood in stools or urine
• lump in the breast, testicles, under the arm, or anywhere that it didnt exist before
• unexplained but noticeable weight loss
• severe unexplained pain in the head, neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis

These and other signs and symptoms will be evaluated. Screenings, such as blood and urine tests and imaging tests, will be used if your doctor thinks its appropriate.

These tests are done both to help make a diagnosis as well as rule out various causes of your signs and symptoms.

When seeing a doctor, be prepared to share the following information:

• your personal medical history, including all symptoms you have experienced, as well as when they began
• family history of cancer or other chronic conditions
• list of all medications and supplements you take

Be Attuned To Any Visible Change

A change in a moles shape, size, or color indicates that melanoma may be brewing, notes Dr. Harvey. An uptick in mole elevation raises red flags, too, since that suggests vertical growth beneath the surface of the skin. In fact, a new bump may point to nodular melanoma, the second most common type of melanoma, accounting for 10% to 30% of all cases. Remember, skin cancer can resemble something as nondescript as a pimple or red patch, so its important to check your skin often and take note of all changes, says Dr. McNeill.

Don’t Miss: Does Skin Cancer Itch And Burn

When And How Often To Check Your Skin For Moles

Its never too soon to start self-examining your skin. Melanoma is a greater risk after the age of 50, especially if youre female, but that doesnt mean young adults are immune. Melanoma is actually one of the most common cancer diagnoses for those in their 20s and 30s. There is no specific age to start scanning your moles, says Dr. Sharma. Regardless of your age, always pay attention to any new development in your body.

You should check your skin every 1-3 months, she adds. If you have a compromised immune system or a family history of cancer, you may need to check your skin more frequently. Consult with your dermatologist or doctor for personalized guidance. In general, you should see a dermatologist annually for a check-up. Ask for a full-body skin exam during your appointment so you can easily recognize any changes.;

How To Find A Dermatologist

If you find a suspicious spot, seeing a dermatologist can give you peace of mind. Dermatologists are experts in caring for the skin and have more experience diagnosing skin cancer than any other doctor.

ReferencesAmerican Academy of Dermatology, AAD statement on USPSTF recommendation on skin cancer screening. News release issued July 26, 2016. Last accessed February 28, 2017.

Bichakjian CK, Halpern AC, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of primary cutaneous melanoma.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Nov;65:1032-47.

Garg A, Levin NA, et al. Approach to dermatologic diagnosis. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 25.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Leading Cause Of Skin Cancer

Identify An Ugly Duckling

Just because a mole is, well, ugly, doesnt mean its cancerous. However, most normal moles on the body look alike. Any mole that sticks out among the others on your body in any way, is an Ugly Duckling and should be examined further, says Dr. McNeill. Perhaps the offender is bigger than the rest. Maybe its darker than your other moles. Or perhaps its the sole raised mark. No matter what, if its different, have a dermatologist check it out.

Also Check: What Is The Difference Between Cancer And Carcinoma

What About Other Treatments That I Hear About

When you have cancer you might hear about other ways to treat the cancer or treat your symptoms. These may not always be standard medical treatments. These treatments may be vitamins, herbs, special diets, and other things. You may wonder about these treatments.

Some of these are known to help, but many have not been tested. Some have been shown not to help. A few have even been found to be harmful. Talk to your doctor about anything youre thinking about using, whether its a vitamin, a diet, or anything else.

Read Also: How Serious Is Skin Cancer