Self-examination: identifying the symptoms of skin cancer in the early stages

Every person should have their skin examined from head to toe every month and consult a doctor if any suspicious growths are found. Such self-examination will help to identify the symptoms of skin cancer at an early stage, when the disease can still be cured. You can usually spot melanoma or other types of cancer (such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) by looking closely at existing moles or by looking for new growths on the skin. estet-portal.com.

The sooner the better: how to identify the symptoms of skin cancer yourself

As with any disease, skin cancer is best treated at an early stage. Doctors who treat skin cancer in Israel emphasize that timely access to a specialist, along with subsequent diagnosis, will help maximize the chances of recovery.

Combine yearly scheduled check-ups with your doctor with regular self-examinations (once a month) to detect possible symptoms of skin cancer early. This is especially true for people who spend a lot of time in the sun or in tanning beds, as well as in whose family there were cases of this type of cancer.

What could be a symptom of skin cancer:

1. Basal cell:

• a bump or nodule on the skin, the color of which can vary from white to dark purple to almost black, the surface of the formation is smooth and shiny;
• an open sore that does not heal for several weeks and may bleed or crust over – typical sign of BCC;
• redness on the area of ​​the skin, similar to irritation – often appears on the face, arms, legs, or chest; the area may be crusted, itchy, or painful, or it may not cause discomfort;
• a growth of pink color, the borders of which rise slightly above the central part, which is in the form of a depression and may be covered with a crust; as the mass grows, small blood vessels may appear on its surface;
• a patch of skin that looks like a scar with indistinct borders, the color of which can be pale pink, white or yellow.

2. Squamous:

• a reddish patch of skin with irregular borders that may sometimes crust or bleed;
• a raised growth above the surface of the skin that may bleed from time to time; the center of such formation can be deepened in comparison with its edges; such a formation can rapidly increase in size;
• an ulcer that does not heal for several weeks may crust and bleed;
• a growth that is similar in appearance to a wart, from which blood may ooze; crust formation is possible.

3. Melanomas:

• asymmetrical moles;
• moles with jagged edges;
• moles with uneven coloration;
• moles with a diameter of more than 6 mm;
• moles growing in size;
• Lubrications that bleed, itch, or otherwise cause discomfort.

What to do if you notice a possible symptom of skin cancer

The presence of potential symptoms of skin cancer does not yet confirm the presence of the disease. To confirm or refute the fears, you need to contact a specialist and undergo an examination. To make a diagnosis, the doctor may use the following methods:

• dermatoscopy (examination with a special device);
• ultrasound examination (used to determine the depth of penetration of a malignant tumor into the skin);
• cytological examination (to detect cancer cells);
• histological examination (to determine the type of cancer and its stage);
• X-ray, CT, MRI (for detection of distant metastases).

Success in treating cancer that affects the skin depends largely on the stage in which the disease is at the time of diagnosis. At the first stage, any of the above malignant tumors can be removed. As cancer cells grow, it becomes increasingly difficult to remove them completely, especially in the case of active metastasis. That is why experts urge you to take at least 10 minutes a month to check yourself and loved ones for possible symptoms of skin cancer and regularly undergo appropriate examinations with specialists.

If you identify the symptoms of skin cancer and start treatment while the disease is  at the first stage, the treatment is successful in 100% of cases.

As for the choice of treatment method, this issue is dealt with directly by the attending physician. We will list the types of procedures that can be used in the treatment of skin cancer:

• excision;
• cryosurgery;
• radiotherapy;
• chemotherapy;
• electrocoagulation;
• photodynamic therapy.

In some cases, it may be necessary to combine the use of several methods. Estet-portal.com reminds: timely detection of symptoms and seeking qualified help – key to successful skin cancer treatment.