{"id":2883,"date":"2019-01-18T06:06:47","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T06:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2883"},"modified":"2021-03-23T15:15:37","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T15:15:37","slug":"10-ways-to-spot-cancerous-moles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-ways-to-spot-cancerous-moles\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Spot Cancerous Moles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When skin cancer is caught early enough it can almost always be cured. Melanoma, which is the deadliest type of skin cancer has a survival rate of 99 percent after five years. This is only if the tumor is first spotted when it is just a spot located on the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If cancer has started to spread the five-year survival rate drops down to fifteen percent. Since skin cancer is quite curable if it is detected early enough, it is important to note the signs of it so that you can get it taken care of right away. Knowing the signs of a cancerous mole is the best way to ensure that you catch melanoma during the early stages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing a dermatologist on a regular basis is also a good way to catch skin cancer early on. Here are some things that you should look for on your body in order to catch cancerous cells early on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. New Spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to skin cancer<\/a>, one of the first things that you may notice is new spots that appear on your skin. While many people have numerous moles located on their skin from the time they are born, it is important to note any new spots that show up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should be familiar with your skin and the spots that are on it. While there are some moles that can become cancerous over time, most of the time melanoma will show up as a new spot on the skin. It is these new spots that you should be worried about. It is typically not normal for new spots to form on the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that you have new moles that have formed on your skin, anywhere on your body it is a good idea to have the spots checked out by your doctor or dermatologist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While there are forms of melanoma <\/a>that form new spots on the skin, there are other types that can form from moles that are currently on your body. Once again, it is important to be familiar with what the moles on your body look like. It is important to monitor your moles for any type of change that may appear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A mole that changes color, shape, or size is a big red flag. If you have a mole that has become larger, gets darker or lighter in color, or becomes a different shape, you need to make sure that you have it checked out by your doctor right away. It is likely they will recommend that you see a dermatologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The doctor may take a sample of the mole in order to determine whether or not it is cancerous. If it is found to be cancerous the doctor will remove it and the surrounding tissue if it is also infected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Bleeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any mole that you have on your body should not bleed. If you happen to cut a mole open with something that is a different story. However, if you do not do anything to the area that the mole is in and it starts to bleed <\/a>it is a warning sign that something is wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moles normally will not bleed, so it is a sure sign of trouble. Moles that are infected or if there is something wrong with the area surrounding a mole, it may become itchy. When you scratch the area you may cause it to bleed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have an area on your skin near a mole that becomes itchy and bleeds when you scratch it, you need to go to your doctor as soon as possible. There is a good chance that there is something wrong. While it may not be cancer, it could be another type of skin issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Back and Legs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are common areas of the skin for melanoma to develop. For men, melanoma is more likely to develop on the back. The trunk is also a common area for melanoma to develop in men. Women are more likely to develop skin cancer on their legs and on their calves<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men need to take care to look over their backs and their trunks for any new spots to appear. If you are male and currently have moles on your trunk and back, it is important to monitor them closely. You also need to look for new spots to appear in these areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For women, closely monitoring your legs is important. Both men and women should monitor their faces closely as skin cancer will often appear on the nose and other areas of the face as well. Closely monitoring all areas of your skin is important in preventing the spread of skin cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Top of Ears and Head<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a couple of spots that are often overlooked when it comes to cancerous moles. The top of the ears is common spots for these moles to appear. This is especially true for men. Most hats that men wear do not shade the ears. Men who are balding often forget to protect the top of their heads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both the top of the head and the tops of the ears are common areas where both basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma <\/a>develop. These spots can be difficult to monitor on your own. You will want to watch the areas closely as the spots that develop can be quite small and difficult to see. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure that you look over your ears and head closely at least once a week or so. It does not take long for these spots to develop and once they have formed, they can spread quickly if they are not taken care of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Other Areas to Monitor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people think that they only need to monitor areas of the skin that are exposed to sunlight on a regular basis. While exposure to the sun and its UV rays<\/a> is the leading cause of skin cancer, areas of the skin that never see direct sunlight are often areas where melanoma can rear its ugly head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some common areas where melanoma may develop include the armpits. While your armpits are not typically exposed to the sun, it is possible to develop skin cancer in this area. The bottoms of the feet and hands are also common places for melanoma development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The belly button and underneath the hair is placed on the body that may not get much direct light, but that does not stop skin cancer from forming in these areas as well. The point is, skin cancer can develop anywhere on the body so it is important to be diligent in the monitoring of your skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Use a Partner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to screening for cancerous moles one of the best things that you can do is to enlist a partner or a member of your family to look over the skin on your body for you. While you are able to look over most of the areas on your body, the fact of the matter is that there are just some areas on your skin that you cannot see very well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a mirror can help, but the second pair of eyes <\/a>is even better. If you are married, schedule a date night to look over each other’s bodies. Make it into a game. You can get to know your partner\u2019s body even better and looking over each other’s skin can be an intimate thing to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also be life-saving as your partner may notice some things that you do not. A family member can look over the less intimate parts for you as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Professional Checkups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any sign of trouble at all you should call your doctor right away. The earlier that cancerous moles are detected, the better your chance of survival. Melanoma is very curable when it is caught early. If it spreads, the rate of survival goes down a great deal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should consider having your skin checked on a yearly basis by a professional. Having a dermatologist <\/a>look over your skin for any signs of cancer can be extremely beneficial. It is also a good idea to look over your skin about once a month yourself. Make notes about your moles and other skin issues that you are having. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note any changes from month to month and report them to your doctor as necessary. Knowing what to look for and when to report it is one of the best things that you can do in terms of self-health care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Sores that Don’t Heal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Certain types of skin cancer may tend to blister <\/a>and weep pus or bleed. If you notice that you develop a sore on your skin, and it does not show signs of healing \u2013 it could be the start of skin cancer. If we cut or scrape ourselves, then under normal circumstances, these types of minor injuries should heal up entirely in a matter of weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some patients may find that these cuts, sores, or moles do not show any signs of improvement, even months after they notice the first signs of the problem. These sores that don’t heal could be melanoma, SCC, or BCC, and the patient should receive immediate diagnosis and treatment from a qualified dermatologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor will take a biopsy of the infected tissue and send it to the lad for analysis. The results take a few days, and should your test come back positive for skin cancer; then your doctor will arrange a treatment plan during your follow-up consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. The Ugly Duckling Method<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the simplest methods of identifying cancerous moles \u2013 is the use of the “ugly duckling method.” This identification technique operates on the principle that all your moles should have similar visual characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dermatologist will “map” your skin, and look at it in segments to identify any out-of-place moles that do not have a physical resemblance to the others in the local area. Often, melanoma starts small and then grows in size until it becomes noticeable by the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, should the mole appear on the back, you might have trouble identifying that you have a melanoma. Therefore, it’s a prudent strategy to have your skin checked annually for signs of cancer \u2013 especially if you have fair skin that burns in the sun quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the consultation, you can expect the doctor to ask you about your family history with moles and skin cancer. While not all moles are cancerous, if the person has a family history of the disease<\/a>, it may raise cause for concern with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Spotting Squamous Cell Carcinoma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The outer layer of the skin consists of squamous cells that have a risk of abnormal growth, resulting in the development of Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This condition is the second most common form of skin cancer. SCC forms scaly red patches on the skin, or it may take the appearance of a wart or open sore that does not heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sores may also crust and bleed, with many patients complaining of symptoms of irritation <\/a>and itching. However, scratching the SCC and removing it from the skin, may result in the rapid growth of SCC in the affected area, resulting in severe health complications that may result in death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every year, doctors diagnose more than 1-million cases of SCC in patients; that’s a staggering 115-cases diagnosed every hour of the day. Instances of this form of cancer increased by 200-percent in the last twenty years, and more than 15,000-Americans die from SCC complications every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Spotting Basal Cell Carcinomas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

BCC is far more challenging to diagnose that melanoma or SCC. Basal cell carcinomas sometimes resemble non-cancerous skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema<\/a>. Any patient with these skin disorders should have a qualified dermatologist review their skin for signs of BCC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, patients may develop a scar-like lesion that has a yellow, white, or waxy appearance \u2013 with undefined borders. Patients with these types of BCC may notice that the affected area looks taut and shiny in appearance. This type of BCC may be indicative of growths under the surface of the skin and requires immediate medical assessment by a dermatologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BCC may also appear as an open sore on the surface of the skin. The sore may weep pus or bleed and may show signs of healing before it ruptures again. Some BCC may exhibit signs of itching and irritation, while others present no symptoms of discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. The ABCDE Rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Upon visiting your dermatologist’s office for an examination, the physician uses the ABCDE method for identifying aberrations in your skin that could potentially be some form of cancer. ABCDE is an acronym and describes the methodology used in formulating a diagnosis <\/a>of skin cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asymmetry \u2013 occurs when one half of the mole does not match the other half. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Border \u2013 Normal moles have defined edges. If your mole in question does not have a defined boundary, it may be a sign of skin cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Color \u2013 The color of the mole does not look like others on the body. Cancerous moles often take a darker or reddish tome when compared to other moles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diameter \u2013 If the mole is larger than a quarter of an inch in diameter, it could be a sign of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evolving \u2013 The mole continues to change in shape, color, or size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using this method, most doctors can successfully identify and form of melanoma, SCC, or BCC in the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some patients have a higher risk of developing skin cancer than others. Below, we list the top risk factors for developing the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who have fair skin are most at risk \u2013 Caucasians with Celtic or Scandinavian genetics may find that they burn in the sun instead of tan. Repetitive sunburns <\/a>increase your risk of skin cancer. If you have fair skin, make sure you always use sunblock during the peak hours of the day between 10 am and 3 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men are more at risk of developing skin cancer on the upper body, while women have a higher risk of developing skin cancer on the lower limbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skin cancer is more common in people older than the age of 40-years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People that live in sunny climates and do not use sunblock or protective clothing during peak sun hours are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with a family history of skin cancer have a higher risk of developing the condition than those people with no family history of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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