How To Find Out If You Have Skin Cancer
by Logan Pallas
The process of detecting skin cancer, the most common form
of cancer in the United States, can be practiced with a monthly self examination
combined with a yearly visit to your doctor. Early detection is key because, if
diagnosed soon enough, skin cancer is almost always curable.
There are
three main types of skin cancer, all of which are visible if you know what to
look for. Melanoma, one of the main forms of skin cancer, is the deadliest. This
disease is the most difficult to stop after it has spread throughout the body,
which is why early detection and treatment are crucial. Skin cancer, of any
kind, can usually be treated with success in it's early stages.
As
individuals, everyone has freckles, birthmarks and moles. These are a part of
you and you are used to seeing them, but you may not notice slight changes right
away and that's what you need to be watching for. Any change in a mole's shape,
edges, size or color should be checked by a physician. If a mole becomes larger
than that of a pencil eraser or if it's color is multiple shades of brown rather
than a solid color, these are both potential warning signs of skin cancer. A
mole's border should be well defined and, if that is no longer the case, notify
your doctor. In addition, any sore that will not heal or a mole that grows
larger at a rapid speed should be tested immediately.
Deciding to seek
medical attention is difficult. For this reason, it's best to choose a physician
that you are comfortable with, such as a family doctor. He/she can examine your
skin and refer you to a dermatologist if needed. The presence of skin cancer is
determined by removing all, or part, of the questionable area and testing it
with a microscope. Surgery is often utilized in the removal of ski cancer and,
if done in the early stages, can be a very quick process. There will likely be a
scar, but the physician may be able to completely remove all cancerous cells
with only a very small incision.
If the cancer has spread, or is very
large in the defined area, additional surgery may be required. In that case,
chemotherapy or radiation treatments may be ordered to ensure the cancer is
completely removed. Your physician will be able to answer all questions that you
may have and should do so without reserve. When meeting with a doctor, ask for
an explanation of all treatment options, including their likelihood for success
in your particular case. Deciding to seek medical attention is a big step and
one that a patient must be mentally prepared for.
This article should
not be construed as professional medical advice. If you, or someone that you
know, is concerned about the possibility of cancer, you should seek medical
attention immediately. A medical doctor can discuss various options, prevention
and treatment possibilities should the presence of cancer be detected. A series
of tests may be conducted in order to confirm, or rule out, any such diagnosis
and can only be done by a medical doctor.
Article Source: http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com
Dr. Logan Pallas is a cancer researcher and journalist. He
maintains a skin cancer resource directory at www.skincancercure.info
which contains many important skin cancer links. Feel free to reprint this
article in its entirety as long as the links, and resource box are not altered
in any way.
