Sign of Skin Cancer
What to Do and Where to Go

Sun Protection is a fact of life™

At the first sign of skin cancer, you should immediately seek competent medical opinion. You must never ever wait for the symptoms to get worse than it already is, simply because the earlier proper treatment is administered, the higher the chances for success.

This is true whether it is basal cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma, which sits at opposite ends of the skin cancer spectrum where severity and frequency are concerned.

How will you know it is skin cancer?

Speaking of symptoms, there is no all-determinant sign of skin cancer. You will have different symptoms depending on the type of skin cancer you may have contracted.

However, experts agree that you should be on the lookout for new growths on your skin or changes happening to an already existing growth like a mole or a sore that does not seem to heal.

Still, you should not panic at the sight of every mole. Most of these brownish growths are harmless and can be removed by a doctor in an outpatient setting if it becomes too large for your own comfort.

What do you do if you have the symptoms?

Again, you should not panic but you shouldn't lie back and take it easy either. The important thing with skin cancer is that early detection and definitive diagnosis are provided by a medical expert quickly followed by the appropriate treatment protocol.

It should also help your cause if you can take the time to determine the causes behind your skin cancer. It is not God's punishment simply because it is a disease that man himself could prevent if only he had the knowledge, the common sense and the will to avoid the risk factors. Or at least, eliminate the controllable factors in life.

What are the controllable risk factors?

There are many ways with which you can avoid contracting even the mildest sign of skin cancer. Just to name the most important of these controllable risk factors:

* Always perform regular skin self-examinations especially if you have a family history of the disease, a history of sunburns and a history of sun overexposure.

* Always take all the necessary measure for sun protection . We are not talking about becoming a heliophobic but of using modern knowledge to your advantage. You must avoid the midday sun when and where possible.

You must apply SPF 15 sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and use it the whole year-round. You must wear photo-protective or uv protection clothing like shirts and pants, hast and umbrellas as well as sunglasses proving both UVB and UVA protection. So many musts but all these musts are for your own good.

* You should adopt a healthy lifestyle coupled with a healthy diet. Studies have shown that taking supplements for vitamins A, C, E and D are good protection against skin cancer.

And do avoid smoking and excessive drinking of alcohol as these activities can weaken the immune system, exposing you to higher risks for skin cancer.

Why invite the most common sign of skin cancer into your life when you can prevent it in the first place?

Just use your common sense and you should be free from skin cancer for the rest of your life.

Join in and share your experience or story. How?
Simply click here to go to Skin Cancer Encounters and Survival Stories