Cancer is a disease in which your cells grow out of control and form tumors. The cancer can spread to other areas.
Cancer can form anywhere in the body but there are some more susceptible places. The skin, your biggest organ, is just one of those places.
Be careful if you notice any of these risk factors: fair skin, a history of sunburn or excessive sun exposure, living in sunny places or high temperatures, having lots of moles, pre-cancerous lesions, personal or family history of skin cancer, a weak immune system, radiation exposure, or substances like arsenic.
There are three types of skin cancer – basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Each type of cancer is different from the others.
10. Rough, squamsy spots
Look (and feel) if you have rough, squamost spots that range from brown to dark pink. They are commonly found in light-skinned people with a history of sunburn.
These spots commonly appear on the face, head and hands. Rough spots are called actinic keratosis and are precancerous lesions of the skin.
If you’re not sure what you found, ask a doctor and then keep an eye on that area for any changes.
9. Pearly or ceros lumps
If you find mud that doesn’t quite form or changes size, keep an eye on it. If you develop a zeroish lump or with a sunken center go to have it checked by a professional.
A pale or flag lump may be a basal cell carcinoma.
Another thing you can look for in your body are blood vessels that grow irregularly near the surface of your skin or tend to bleed easily.
8. A flat, skin-colored, brown scab-like lesion
If you have a sore that doesn’t heal, has a sunken center, or bleeds easily, let a doctor check it on. Don’t be alarmed there are several reasons why sores don’t heal.
One of them is basal cell carcinoma. This type of cancer is commonly found in the head, face, neck, hands, or arms. It is usually not an aggressive type of cancer and is easily treated.
Basal cell carcinomas can disfigure or leave scars on the areas where they grow, so they need to be treated as soon as possible to be more successful.
7. Red, solid injuries
If you see a solid lesion of a matte red color that develops a sunken center or forms ulcers, visit a doctor. An ulcerated area may grow another ring of tissue within the original area or develop a dry spot in a different color or refuse to heal.
It can look like mud or form a blister that doesn’t go away. These injuries come out more on the face, ears and hands.
People with darker skin can develop lesions in areas that are not exposed to the sun.
6. Flat lesion with a scaly, crusty surface
Flat lesions that develop a scaly surface or refuse to heal, such as previous lesions, can be squamous cell carcinoma.
These types of cancers can occur in the skin or even in the airways, gastrointestinal tract, and hollow organs. They are generally not mortal but can become so. They can disfigure or cause scarring so treat them at an early stage.
Squamous cell carcinoma is growing due to overuse of tanning beds or sun exposure.
5. Rare moles
Keep a good eye on moles. If one develops dark brown spots with darker specks or an existing mole changes color, size, feels different or bleeds, visit a doctor immediately.
Changing moles can be a sign of melanoma. Melanoma is an aggressive and deadly cancer. The risk of melanoma consists of a combination of genetics, UV rays that cause mutations, and unknown factors.
Always check if your moles have the following characteristics
•
A (asymmetry) • B
(irregular edges) • C (multiple colors)
•
D (diameter greater than 1/4 inch) • E (evolution or change in size or shape)
4. Lesions with irregular red, white, blue or black-bluish edges
Melanoma can develop in rare places. Pay attention to your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or inside your mouth, nose, or around your vagina or anus.
Any weird dark spot, especially if it appears out of nowhere, has a weird color, or hurts, you should have it checked.
One person dies every hour from melanoma. If you’re not sure, have your doctor check that area. You may be exaggerating, but maybe not, and your life depends on early detection!
3. Yellowish, hard lumps in the sparing
If you suddenly develop a yellowish, hard lump in your parpado, have it checked. These lumps may also appear on the head or neck, torso, or genital area.
These lumps can be a very rare type of cancer, carcinoma of the sebaceous glands. These lumps grow slowly and are not particularly aggressive, however; treating them on time is important!
They can serve as a clue to know that there is cancer in some other part of the body (Muir Torré syndrome). They can also be benign (noncancerous) and bothersome.
2. A skin-colored or reddish-blue nodule
If you notice a red, blue, purple, or skin-colored lump that looks like a small blister or if you have a sunken center, visit your doctor.
Merkel cell carcinoma is rare, but can be found on the face, head, or neck. These are more common in older people with a history of excessive exposure to the sun or a weak immune system.
Merkel cell carcinoma grows rapidly and can spread easily. Finding it at an early stage can help treatment.
1. Red or purple spots on the skin
Raised red or purple spots may be a sign of Kaposi sarcoma. This type of cancer is very rare and usually manifests in people with AIDS or who are organ recipients.
It sometimes occurs in young men living in Africa or older men of Jewish, Italian or Eastern European descent.
Kaposi sarcoma develops in the blood vessels and forms painless lesions or tumors, usually in the face or legs. Tumors in the legs or crotch can cause the legs to swell and hurt.
conclusion
Cancer is scary and skin cancer is the most common. Some types of cancer can be very aggressive and deadly.
Check your body regularly for changes in your moles, scaly skin, or rare lumps. If diagnosed at an early stage, most skin cancers can be successfully treated.
Stay away from the sun with proper sun protection, wear sunglasses, and avoid tanning beds. The fewer sunburns (and tans) you have, the lower your risk of skin cancer.
Most skin cancers make their roots in skin that has been damaged by the sun. However; there are other factors, so get abused with your larger organ.
