Top Signs And Symptoms Of Potential Skin Cancer

Posted on: 17 May 2016

Does your family have a history of developing cancer? Are you worried that you might develop skin cancer due to needing to spend time out in the sun? While you should definitely visit the doctor if you have any questions or concerns, that's not always immediately possible. Here are some signs that you should be on the lookout for:

New or enlarged moles: This is probably the most obvious and well-known sign that you may be developing skin cancer, but it merits mention anyway. Most moles are harmless and, over the course of your life, will do nothing. But if you notice a mole appearing relatively suddenly, where there was none before, or a small mole getting larger or becoming irregular in shape, then it's time to visit the doctor. If caught early, you may not need any skin cancer surgery except for the minor skin biopsy where the mole itself is removed for testing. 

Wound or sore that won't heal: From time to time, many people discover a wound or injury that they don't remember receiving. Sometimes, this can be chalked up to the person in question being drunk at the time or being wounded by his or her pet. When this is the case, the wound should heal relatively quickly. But if, in spite of bandages and antibacterial creams being applied, the wound continues to remain open and doesn't heal, then you should visit a doctor for testing. The wound may or may not become infected, simply not healing is enough to merit concern. Depending on the results of a biopsy, your doctor may recommend getting skin cancer surgery to remove the lesion, or he or she may suggest receiving chemotherapy first.

Lump or knot in the skin: Skin cancer isn't always visible externally. Like other types of cancers, it may form lumps or knots before it is noticed by other means. When you are bathing, make sure to check your body for any sort of lumps. While a lump or knot can be the result of a bruise or a half-remembered injury, a tumor will obviously not fade with time and may or may not grow in size. Because of the "hidden" nature of this type of skin cancer, it may be difficult to detect at first. But once you notice it, it's important to visit a doctor, like Strnot Dermatology, as soon as possible so that they can recommend whether or not you're in need of skin cancer surgery.

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