Skin Cancer Symptoms You Don't Want To Overlook
Posted on: 21 October 2015
Many people think it would be easy to spot skin cancer. People spend so much time looking at themselves and their own skin that each person should be an expert regarding what his or her skin is supposed to look like. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It is very easy for skin cancer to sneak up on you if you don't know the precise warning signs. Here are some symptoms of skin cancer that you don't want to overlook.
1. A Sore That Does Not Heal Within the Usual Four Weeks
The first warning sign that you are going to want to look for is a spot or a sore on your body that does not heal within four weeks. This means that the spot is continuously an open wound, or that the spot scabs over, the scab falls off, and then the spot scabs over again all on its own. This is usually an uncomfortable symptom and, if the spot is somewhere easily visible, an embarrassing symptom, but many people mistake it for acne. Keep track of the sores on your body. A sore that is reopening or never fully heals is not just acne.
2. Bumps
Next, you're going to want to check your body for bumps. The earliest stages of skin cancer tend to come in bump form. For example, melanoma comes in the form of a raised mole. Check to make sure that none of the beauty marks that you have on your body change shape while you are in the shower and are rubbing on body wash. If you notice that a mole was previously flat but was now raised, you might have melanoma. If you notice that you have a firm red bump on your body, then you might have squamous cell cancer. Finally, if you find a bump that feels waxy or is white in color, then you might have basal cell cancer. All of these bumps need to be looked at by a doctor immediately, even if you think your skin might just be dry.
3. White Patch in Your Mouth
Finally, there is a type of skin cancer known as Bowen's disease that can be caught very early if you notice that there is a white patch in your mouth. This patch could be on your tongue or on the sides of your mouth. If you notice this patch, make sure that you speak to a doctor.
For more information, talk to your dermatologist about getting a cancer screening.
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