Preventing Skin Cancer and Detecting Skin Cancer Warning Signs

Skin cancer is a potentially deadly disease which can be extremely frightening, but there are things you can do to reduce your risk of contracting skin cancer and to make sure you get an effective treatment in its early stages. Skin cancer can be removed completely through outpatient surgery without the need for additional treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, if detected when it first forms. There are things you can do not only to avoid contracting skin cancer, but to make sure that if you do, you recognize the skin cancer warning signs and get treatment early.

The exact causes of skin cancer are difficult to prove scientifically, but the relationship between certain risk factors, or factors which are found to be associated with higher rates of skin cancer diagnosis, can be statistically proven. The reasons are generally hypothesized and agreed upon, but have yet to be proven scientifically.

There are some risk factors it may be too late for you to avoid. If you have ever had a sunburn severe enough to cause blistering of the skin, at any point in your life, this is associated with an increased chance of contracting skin cancer, due to extreme UV radiation damage. Avoid overexposure to the sun and especially sunburns, and reduce the risk of skin cancer in your children if you are a parent by making sure they never suffer a severe sunburn while growing up.

Sunscreen and clothing which blocks sunlight reduce risk factors for skin cancer, and the sun should be avoided during its peak hours. Skin cancer is most commonly found in the face or areas exposed to sunlight but can appear anywhere; melanoma can appear even in the eye. Hats which provide shade, sunscreen, and UV blocking sunglasses can provide additional protection.

The simple surgical removal of a skin cancer and surrounding tissue which may contain remaining cancer cells can eliminate a tumor caught in its earliest stages of development and prevent any possible regrowth. Additional treatment is necessary if the tumor advances, and the possibility of metastasis makes additional preventative measures a necessity. You may need to undergo radiation therapy, chemotheraphy, or the surgical removal of lymph nodes, and these treatments may have side effects. If skin cancer spreads to other parts of the body and causes secondary tumors, it may be fatal if not successfully treated.

You should regularly examine your skin for any irregularities that may be a sign of skin cancer. Moles, or nevi, are common but should be kept track of. If you have dysplastic nevi, irregularly shaped moles, you can ask your doctor to help you watch for any changes which may indicate melanoma. Moles which change shape, color, or size, or which have irritated surrounding tissue, should be reviewed by a doctor. Other forms of skin cancer can be indicated by red or flesh-toned lumps, or rashes and sores that don’t properly heal. Again, if these are present, a doctor should look at them.

Skin cancer can be avoided or quickly cured if you take preventative measures and pay attention to skin cancer warning signs.

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