Let’s start with the not-so-good news: skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the United States. Every year, almost 5 million individuals undergo treatment for skin cancer, and in the past three decades, more Americans have been diagnosed with skin cancer than all other types of cancer combined.
However, there’s a silver lining: You can often identify the early signs of Pasadena skin cancer without needing an X-ray, blood test, or specialized diagnostic procedure. If you understand what to watch out for and take action when you notice it, most instances of skin cancer can be detected and treated during the early stages when they are most treatable.
How Can I Spot Skin Cancer?
The simplest answer is to observe your skin. Because you interact with your skin daily, you’re your own first line of detection. By understanding what’s normal for your skin and conducting a thorough examination regularly – typically on a monthly basis – many cases of skin cancer can be noticed by you.
While inspecting your skin, make a mental note of all the existing spots, moles, and freckles on your skin. This way, you’ll be able to recognize when changes occur or if a new spot appears.
Stand in front of a mirror and carefully examine both the front and back of your body from head to toe. Bend your elbows to inspect your forearms, palms, and the back of your upper arms. Utilize a hand mirror (and ask for assistance if needed) to examine areas like the back of your neck, scalp, buttocks, and other hard-to-see places. Remember to also check the soles of your feet and the spaces between your toes.
While examining your skin, pay special attention to the below-mentioned moles or alterations in your skin.
– The appearance of a new lump, growth, or spot
– Changes in size, shape, and/or color of an existing mole, lump, or growth
– Sores that don’t seem to heal
– Rough and scaly red or brown patches
– Pink pearly bumps that bleed easily
– Moles or spots that are asymmetrical or have irregular borders and uneven colors
– Moles or spots larger than ¼ of an inch (about the size of a pencil eraser)
Should You Use a Skin Cancer Detection App?
Some smartphone apps claim to evaluate certain skin changes and provide individuals with guidance on whether they should consult a dermatologist for further evaluation. But as of now, the accuracy of these apps is not high enough.
Relying solely on an app instead of your own observations and doctor visits could potentially delay necessary medical attention. In a recent study, even the most accurate skin cancer detection app missed nearly 30% of melanomas, incorrectly diagnosing them as low-risk lesions.
Yet, these apps are evolving, and they might become more reliable tools for detecting skin cancer in the future.