Save Your Looks And Life With A Simple Test

With well over a million cases surfacing annually, the skin is currently the most common site for cancer to appear. Most skin cancers are not especially invasive or even dangerous. They appear in either basal cells or squamous cells, and typically aren’t cause for a great deal of alarm. However, one type called melanoma, can develop quickly and spread to other tissues where it can turn deadly. As with most conditions, early detection leads to a better prognosis, and skin cancer is one of the most easily treatable forms of cancer.

Dermatologists have long advocated that people check themselves often for signs of [tag]skin cancer[/tag]. Unfortunately, many people dismiss a skin spot by stating, it’s just a mole. It’s important that you be able to tell the difference between an ordinary mole and a potentially cancerous lesion.

Here's how to do the self examination with a procedure known by the ABCDE
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A -Asymmetry Moles are generally round, or nearly so. A skin lesion or spot that has an irregular shape is more likely to be cancerous.

B - Border Moles usually have a well-defined border. A darker patch that fades into regular skin color may indicate a disease process.

C - Color Moles are generally some shade of brown. A spot that is black, red, or even blue is worth having checked out.

D - Diameter Most moles are less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Anything larger than that has the potential to be a problem.

E - Evolution Moles generally stay constant in appearance throughout your life. You should address any spot that changes in one or more of the above characteristics.

A recent study shows that patients who learn the procedure with a partner are more likely to perform self-examinations for skin cancer and save their apparance and maybe even their lives!