Download BECOME A SKIN CANCER DETECTIVE

BECOME A SKIN
CANCER DETECTIVE
May 2013
HEALTH E-NEWS
Do Not Forget These
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Healthwise® Handbook, the
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Challenge:
Perform a full head to toe skin
examination to yourself and continue
this practice every month to detect
any changes you may notice.
SOURCES:
Skin Cancer Foundation:
www.skincancer.org
Early detection of any cancer is crucial and skin cancer is no exception. If skin cancer
is identified early it is almost always curable. If you know what to look for and perform
monthly head to toe self examinations, you will have a greater chance of beating the odds.
PRE-CANCERS
Actinic Keratosis: Also known as solar karatoses, is the most common form of pre cancer.
They are scaly, crusted lesions that are at times elevated and resemble a wart. You will most
likely find these on sun exposed areas, like back of hands, face, and bald heads. Many
become red but some are pink, tan, or flesh toned.
Dysplastic Nevi: Benign, but unusual moles that look like Melanoma. People with this
pre cancer are at an increased risk of developing melanoma or may already have melanoma.
CANCERS
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common form of skin cancer found.
They are lesions formed on the basal cells of the skin forming deep in the epidermis, or
outermost layer of skin. They look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps,
or scars.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): SCC is the second most common form of skin cancer
found. They appear similar to BCC in that they look like open sores, red patches elevated on
the skin like warts. The difference is they originate on the squamous cells, which are the
outermost layer of the epidermis.
Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer caused when exposure to UV rays
triggers genetic mutation in the skin resulting in malignant tumors. These tumors originate
in the pigment and create growths on the skin that appear to be abnormal moles. The
majority of Melanomas are black or brown but can be pink, red, blue, white or skin colored.
As you can see, it is difficult to identify a normal skin lesion from an abnormal sign of
cancer. It is recommended to have an annual full body skin examination by your physician
or dermatologist, in addition to performing monthly self skin evaluations. Be sure to
examine your entire body not ignoring between fingers and toes, the scalp, and the
genitals. Follow the ABCDE’s and the ugly duckling rules to help identify cancerous
skin growths.
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THE ABCDE’S:
A = Asymmetry: Any skin growth where its two halves do not match.
B = Border: Any skin growth with uneven or notched borders.
C = Color: Any skin growth that appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, or multicolored
with reds and blues.
D = Diameter: Any skin growth with a diameter larger than the eraser of a pencil or larger
than 6mm (1/4 in).
E = Evolution: If you notice any change in a skin growth’s size, color, elevation, shape,
or any other trait. Also, any symptom such as itching, bleeding or crusting is a sign
of danger.
THE UGLY DUCKLING RULE:
Refers to the “ugly duckling” in a group of skin lesions. If one mole, freckle, or skin growth of
any kind looks obviously different from the rest, this is likely a sign of skin cancer.