While skin cancers are the most common forms of cancer in the United States, they’re also among the most survivable cancer illnesses — provided they’re caught early. While not the only reason behind skin cancer, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) is the most common preventable cause.
There are ways to check yourself for the presence of skin cancer signs, but sometimes, it’s hard to recognize cancerous lesions until it’s too late. Partnering with dermatologist Roy Seidenberg, MD, adds a safety margin over relying on self-checks.
You still need to remain vigilant, including controlling your UV exposure with sunscreen, clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Use the ABCDE self-assessment method monthly to be on the alert for moles and other changes and to determine if you need further testing for skin cancer.
Ultraviolet radiation, whether from the sun or tanning beds, causes cumulative damage to skin cells over time. Cancers form when this damage leads to the uncontrolled production of abnormal skin cells.
We identify skin cancers by the cells that become damaged. Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are more common where as melanoma, cancer of melanocyte pigment cells, is most aggressive. There are other, less common, skin cancers as well.
The ABCDE self-assessment method checks for skin changes for every type of cancer. You may detect changes that aren’t cancerous, and it’s also possible that you may not see signs of some active cancers.
Check your skin monthly on all surfaces, using a smartphone camera or other device for surfaces you can’t examine closely. ABCDE is a mnemonic to help you remember the five steps of self-assessment.
Most normal moles have a basic round shape that’s close to symmetrical. When a spot on your skin has two halves that aren’t close to matching each other, the spot requires a medical examination.
Likewise, normal mole borders are usually regular with defined edges. Cancerous cells are more likely to cause irregularly shaped borders without clear definition.
Spots on healthy skin usually display uniform color. Suspicious lesions can show multiple colors within themselves, including black, blue, brown, red, tan, white, or silvery shades.
While birthmarks can be larger, most moles are the diameter of a pencil eraser or smaller. Any lesion that grows larger than this size becomes suspicious and requires medical assessment.
Normal moles tend to remain consistent in appearance. Any lesion that evolves in color, shape, or size could be cancerous. Even if a spot seems normal otherwise, recognizable changes suggest a potential for cancer.
Cancerous lesions may produce other symptoms, such as bleeding, in addition to appearance. These, too, are sufficient reasons for medical examination.
To book a skin cancer screening today, contact Dr. Seidenberg’s Midtown East office in Manhattan by phone or online.
