Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer existing in the world. It can strike at any age group. Most people do not consider skin cancer as a serious problem. However, it is important to know that the cancer can be really difficult to handle or even deadly if not treated directly.

It is important to keep on performing regular self examination so that you can come to know about the problem at an early stage.

Here are certain tips on examining your self for skin cancer so that the disease does not turn out to be serious or ugly in the future. While conducting a self examination, you should keep in mind that about 1 in 5 people can have some form of skin cancer in their entire lifetime.

Experts recommend that you need to check yourself for skin cancer on a monthly basis in order to spot the problem.

You would require some mirrors in order to see all parts of your body. Try to check the entire area of your body. You need to analyze your head, face and scalp in the mirror.

Gradually examine the other parts of your body. Make sure that you check the genital areas also check the portion between your toes well.

When doing a self examination for skin cancer, you must check for irregular moles. Usually, mal-formed moles are a result of malignant melanoma. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you find an asymmetrical mole on your body, consult your doctor.

Remember that most moles complete their growth prior to the age of twenty. In case, the mole on your body starts growing after the age of twenty, consult your doctor immediately.

Another important thing to check for irregularities on the borders of the mole. The borders should be well defined and uniform in growth. Another symptom of skin cancer is a mole that changes color to a dark red, black or white. This is a direct indication of development of skin cancer on your body.

Remember that early diagnosis may be the only way to surviving skin cancer. In case, you spot anything you might feel a problem, consult an oncologist or dermatologist on an immediate basis. A little caution from your side may do wonders to your body.

Moles on the body can turn in to cancerous melanomas. Hence it is very important to check your moles on a regular basis and talk to your doctor whenever you feel that there is a sign of danger.

The best thing to do is to follow a 4 step, A-B-C-D guide when checking your moles. In case, any of the points mentioned below are true, talk to your doctor right away.

a) Asymmetry

In case, ½ of the mole does not match the other half, there is a problem. Any mole or birthmark with skin growth that increases in size should be reported to doctor.

b) Border

The border of the mole should not be ragged, notched or blurred.

c) Color

In case, the mole is a mixture of brown, black and tan contact a doctor.

d) Diameter

A mole larger than pencil eraser is an important sign of skin cancer.

By: Bertil Hjert

About the Author:

K.a.r.a asked:


I use to go tanning my senior year of high school, I’d say i went every other day for 2 months.
But I will never go back to a tanning bed again because of my fear of developing skin cancer.
Is it possible that I might already have it? Doesn’t it sneak up on you later?

The fact that cigarettes contain cancer causing chemicals is not anything new. For years, cancer experts have been advising the public to kick the habit and decrease their cancer risk. The connection between alcohol and cancer, however, is not as well known. Skin cancer is only one of the many cancers that can be caused from smoking and alcohol use.

Actinic cheilitis is a condition that affects the lips. Affected lips become puffy, dry, cracked, or ulcerated and change color, often to bright red or white. It is considered to be a pre-cancerous condition. In six to ten percent of cases, it develops into squamous cell carcinoma. The condition can affect people of all ages, regardless of sex, but typically strikes men over fifty. Risk increases with age. Actinic cheilitis is caused by a lifetime accumulation of UV damage. Smoking, alcohol, and poor oral hygiene are also believed to increase the risk of this condition.

Research has shown that cigarette smokes contains as much as four thousand chemicals. Of those, over sixty are carcinogens. Every cigarette smoked exposes the skin and other organs in the body to numerous toxic substances that increase the risk of developing cancer.

According to Dr. Jan Nico Bouwes Bavinck, one of the leading researchers in a study on smoking and skin cancer at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, smoking more than triples the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. The study’s data indicated that smoking may inhibit immune system function, leaving skin vulnerable to the cancer causing chemicals found in cigarette smoke.

Smoking reduces available oxygen to the skin. Statistics say that oxygen supply to skin is decreased for close to an hour after smoking for just ten minutes. Skin cells are damaged by the deprivation. Nicotine’s effect of narrowing blood vessels and reducing circulation also damages skin cells. Smoking also thins the skin and interferes with healing.

Experts say that alcohol is the second largest risk factor for oral cancer. While exactly how alcohol functions is unexplained, there are theories. It is believed that the liver damage brought on my alcohol causes cellular changes. These cellular changes may lead to modifications in the tissues of the mouth and throat.

A second theory is that alcohol increases hormone levels. There have been a large number of studies showing the link between increased levels of certain hormones and the incidence of cancer. According to statistics by the American Cancer Society, drinkers are six times more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancers than those who abstain from alcohol use.

When alcohol is combined with smoking, the incidence of cancer is even higher. Cells dehydrated by alcohol are more vulnerable to cigarette’s cancer causing chemicals. According to experts, you can lower your risk of cancers by giving up cigarettes and reducing or stopping alcohol use. It takes approximately ten years for your risk level to return to that of a nonsmoker and nondrinker.

If you think you are safe because you only drink or smoke socially, think again. As few as two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women is enough to increase your risk. With so many cancer causing chemicals in cigarettes, a single smoke can do damage to the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer.

By: A Hurrell

About the Author:

Jean S asked:


I know how skin cancer is detected and treated, but what exactly does it do to your body when you get. Please explain in detail and links will be very appreciated.

bland asked:


I’ve heard having a bad sunburn can increase your chances of having skin cancer by so much. How much? Also, other things about sunburn releated to skin cancer. Thanks in advance for your help.