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It may not be a glamorous skin routine, but keeping a close watch on moles or other irregularities on your skin could help you detect the first signs of skin cancer and get treated before it spreads.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) estimates one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. With the odds stacked against most people, it's vital to know the signs and appearances of different skin cancers.
Who is affected
Anyone can develop skin cancer, regardless of age, ethnicity and geography. The Center for Disease Control says melanoma rates in the United States doubled from 1982 to 2011 and have continued to increase. Research estimates that nonmelanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, affects more than 3 million Americans a year, says the CDC.
The rate of new cancers by age group steadily increases, with 80 to 84-year-olds showing the newest cancers across races and genders, the CDC says. However, skin cancer is not limited to the elderly. The American Cancer Society says skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in young adults.
Different signs of skin cancer
For every type of skin cancer, there are different warning signs and appearances to look for. Squamous cell carcinoma often presents as a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a crusted surface, says the AAD.
Basal cell carcinomas often pop up in sun-exposed areas of the body, such as your neck or face. Key indicators of the carcinoma include a pearly or waxy bump; flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion; or bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and comes back.
Melanoma is the skin cancer that strikes fear in the hearts of people with lots of moles, and for good reason. It's the deadliest form of skin cancer, warns the AAD. They say it frequently starts as a mole or shows up as a new dark spot.
The ABCDEs of skin cancer detection
The AAD recommends self-examinations frequently for changes in skin appearance. These are the fundamentals to look for:
A: Asymmetry. Most melanomas are not round and if you draw a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves don’t match. Keep an eye out for weird shapes.
B: Border. Melanoma borders tend to be uneven and may have scalloped or notched edges.
C: Color. When a mole isn’t an even brown, tan or black, it could be melanoma. As melanomas progress, the colors red, white or blue may appear in the lesion.
D: Diameter or Dark. Melanomas, at the time of detection, are usually larger than the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm in diameter). Melanomas are often darker than normal moles.
E: Evolving. Any change in size, shape, color or elevation of a spot on your skin, or any new sensation (like itching or burning) is cause for alarm.
If you notice any of these signs, or simply can't tell what is cause for concern, book an appointment with a dermatologist at a MountainStar clinic. If you think you know what skin cancer signs look like, take the quiz below to test your knowledge!
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