Lindsey Christiansen
Installing an awning in your yard, wearing sun block and only staying in direct sunlight for short periods of time are some ways to avoid UVB-related skin cancers. However, even if you live beneath your awning and hardly ever travel out into the hot Utah sun, skin cancer can still get you. To be sure you always catch skin cancer early, I’ve compiled a list of the ABC’s of cancer; the 5 most important warning signs for skin cancer.
If you have a skin lesion that is asymmetrical you need to go into a dermatologist and get it checked out as soon as possible. Cancerous skin lesions are often irregularly shaped. Even if you feel like you spend hardly any time in the sun and most your time inside or beneath an awning, Utah heat and sunshine can easily penetrate and damage the skin causing cancer.
If you cannot determine where the borders of a mole or skin lesion are, go in and get your skin looked at by a professional. Skin cancers, unlike normal moles or skin tumors, often lack clearly defined borders. Whether you live in Utah or not, there should be a practicing dermatologist in your area.
Cancer sores are often red, blue, white, or black in appearance. If you are concerned about a mole, remember that cancerous lesions look very different from benign skin growths.
Any growth that is greater than a quarter of an inch in size should be evaluated by a medical professional. Although the ability to examine oneself for sketchy looking growths is convenient, when you find something out of the ordinary, a doctor should examine it further.
Skin cancers are often raised above the surface of the skin and have an uneven surface. If you notice a mole or lesion that does not heal or drains out fluid, do not hesitate to see a dermatologist or other medical professional. Always remember to protect your skin by staying cool under an awning and wearing sun screen when you know you’ll be in the sun. Check yourself regularly for signs of the ABC’s of skin cancer.
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