Self Examinations Could Save a Life
Women in America are constantly informed of the importance of breast cancer Self Examinations through ads, promotions, charity events and the like. First, we’d like to say that that’s fabulous. It’s an extremely vital message that should be put out there often, and adhered to.
However, at least at this time, the public spotlight doesn’t shine nearly as bright on Melanoma and skin cancer. And it’s no less integral for every man and woman worldwide to follow that same advice regarding these diseases, too.
Melanoma is both the easiest cancer to prevent as well as to cure; if it’s caught early. If not, it becomes one of the fastest growing cancers a person could ever acquire. This means it’s not something that should be left strictly up to the occasional doctor’s appointment. It’s up to all of us to pay attention to any of its’ warning signs and, should any emerge, act accordingly.
In an effort to help you determine what you should be looking for, we consulted an article posted by skincancer.org, which helpfully included those warning signs. Listed below are direct quotes from the aforementioned piece:
- “A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored”
- “A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown spot that: changes color, increases in size or thickness, changes in texture, is irregular in outline is bigger than 6mm or 1/4″, the size of a pencil eraser, appears after age 21”
- “A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed”
- “An open sore that does not heal within three weeks”
If any of the bullet points above ever apply to you, or if you notice anything else about your skin that’s abnormal, you should waste no time in seeing your dermatologist or doctor.
As we’ve said, the earlier skin cancer is detected the better the chances are of stopping it. We are not in any way exaggerating when we say that noticing something on your skin, but then waiting to have it checked out, is absolutely the worst thing you could do.
Why take the chance?
Sundicators: The Best Skin-surance Under the Sun!
- Dogs are Skin Cancer Patients Best Friend - April 23, 2018
- Vanishing Moles – Looks Can Be Deceiving - March 2, 2018
- New Year Resolution: Healthy Skin and Sun Protection - January 15, 2018
- A Guide to Skin Cancer and Melanoma - November 6, 2017
- Autumn’s Arrival: Sun Safety Reminder - October 11, 2017
- Students: Back to School Skin Protection - September 20, 2017
- An Explosion of Skin Cancer Diagnosis in the 21st Century - July 24, 2017
- Familial Malignant Melanoma: Family Tragedies - June 12, 2017
- Melanoma Monday – May 1, 2017 and every Monday Thereafter… - May 1, 2017
- Back to Basics About Melanoma - April 25, 2017
[…] from its outset. That’s important because, as you may have read elsewhere on this blog, the cure (and survival) rate for Melanoma goes up dramatically if it’s caught in its earliest stages. So […]