FAQ About Skin Health

Depending upon the type of skin cancer, whether basal cell, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma, skin cancer can present from a pink spot to a pearly or black nodule with hundreds of variations. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, most often presents as a new or changing mole. A mole that looks different from all others, called an “ugly duckling” mole, warrants a trip to your doctor.

The ABCDEs are warning signs for melanoma:
A – Asymmetry: one half does not match the other
B – Border: edges are jagged or blurred
C – Color: more than one color
D – Diameter: larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser
E – Evolution: any changes

The ABCDE’s for warning sign of melanoma can be found on the free application, www.Compariskin.com.

Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body, including sun-protected areas as the buttock, feet, or scalp. Most skin cancers occur on the left side, because of the sun’s rays coming through the car’s window glass. The face, arms, chest, legs and back are the most frequent sites for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Melanomas occur most frequently on the backs of men and legs of women.

Locations of recently identified melanoma sites (left side illustrated only: all skin needs to be examined)

Skin cancer is the result of an abnormal proliferation of skin cells. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet light, both UVA & UVB, damages the DNA, or the building blocks, which controls cell growth. When young, DNA can repair itself, but this ability is reduced as we age and the uncontrollable cell growth causes cancer.

Factors leading to an increased rate for skin cancer: family history for skin cancer, fair skin, blue or green eyes, freckles, tanning beds, sun exposure, sunburns, environmental toxins, immunosuppression, and others are being investigated!

Confirmation with a biopsy is necessary to prove that a mole is cancerous. Worrisome signs include a changing mole or a sore that is bleeding, not healing or painful.

Other features include:
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, most often presents as a new or changing mole. A mole that looks different from all others, called an “ugly duckling” mole, warrants a trip to your doctor.

The ABCDEs are warning signs for melanoma:
A – Asymmetry: one half does not match the other
B – Border: edges are jagged or blurred
C – Color: more than one color
D – Diameter: larger than the diameter of a pencil eraser
E – Evolution: any changes

A mole that is different from others on your body needs to be checked.

A mole that has changed needs to be checked.

Not all dark moles are melanomas. A visit to your dermatologist can reassure you on the best course of action. Often your doctor will check you with a dermatoscope, which magnifies the mole 10 fold with polarized light and provides additional insight on whether the mole needs to be biopsied.

Your dermatologist may take a picture of the mole, if flat, and a dermatoscopic image to see whether any change occurs in three months. With change, the mole normally is removed.

Whenever concerned about a changing mole, a visit to your dermatologist is warranted. Taking and comparing pictures is one of the best ways to assist with determining whether a mole has changed. Baseline and sequential photos are valuable, but pictures and applications do not replace an examination by your doctor.

For a free download: visit http://compariskin.com

Your dermatologist may recommend Mole Mapping (total body photographs) and take sequential pictures using a dermatoscope.

Your doctor will determine whether a mole needs to be removed during your skin examination. If a mole has changed in anyway, as size or color, removal is indicated in the vast majority of cases.
Bleeding, itching, or one that is totally different from other moles are also likely to be removed and biopsied.

Baseline photos can help to determine whether a mole has changed or whether the mole can be monitored by you and your physician.
If you have risk factors of a family history for melanoma, multiple sunburns, tanning bed history, history of precancerous moles or skin cancer, fair skin and light eyes, check yourself, get checked, and ask about mole mapping!

Skin Mapping, or Mole Mapping, is when your entire skin with all its’ moles are photographed. Subsequently, your physician compares the photographs for new or changing moles during your visit. Studies have proven that Mole Mapping assists with reducing unnecessary biopsies and discovering earlier melanomas.

You and your physician have copies of the mole mapping pictures. You can import pictures into an app (www.compariskin.com) and compare a recent photo to compare along with your physician.

Your physician will determine the frequency of skin checks. If you have been recently diagnosed with a melanoma, an examination every three months is recommended. With other high risk individuals, a dermoscopic exam with mole mapping maybe performed every six months.

Without risk factors, skin checks once a year is routine. Checking yourself monthly, asking your partner to help, and comparing pictures for a new or changing mole are worthwhile complements to your routine doctor visits.

Screenings save lives!