Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
Self-exams are encouraged to check for signs of skin cancer as well as going to a dermatologist for a check-up.
May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. When it comes to detecting cancer, you have to go back to learning your ABC’s.
Asymmetry: Half of your mole does not match the other half. This could vary in color, shape and texture.
Border Irregularity: The edges of the mole are irregular, ragged, blurred or notched.
Color: The color of the mole is inconsistent and not the same all over. There may be shades of brown, tan or black.
Diameter: The size of the mole is larger than about ¼ inch, which is about the size of a pencil eraser. However, some doctors have discovered melanomas that are smaller in size.
Consult a physician if you notice any of these warning signs and changes in a mole on your body. Most skin cancers can be treated successfully if detected early.
For more information, call American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org
If you would like to set up a skin exam appointment with one of our cancer specialists at Summit Healthcare Cancer Center, visit https://summitcancercenter.net/
Source: https://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@ohio/documents/document/acspc-026154.pdf
