What to Know About the Early Signs of Skin Cancer

With summer in full swing, we know that most of our patients are going to be enjoying at least a little bit of fun in the sun. And although the sun can give you healthy doses of vitamin D, it can also cause sun damage and even skin cancer. Here at Georgia Dermatology Partners, we treat a variety of different types of skin cancers including Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, and  Melanoma. Just like with any sort of medical condition, the sooner we catch skin cancer, the easier it is for us to treat. So, what are early signs of skin cancer and how can you spot them?

Signs of Skin Cancer

Sometimes it can be hard to spot early signs of skin cancer. However, in most instances, there are distinct signs such as:

• Asymmetrical moles or freckles
• Moles that have an uneven border around them
• Moles that have changed color or are a variety of different colors
• Moles that are larger than the size of a pencil tip
• Scaly patches on the skin
• A sore that doesn’t heal
• Tenderness, dryness, itching, or pain

How to Spot Them

We tell our patients that the best way for them to spot skin cancer is to be in tune with their skin. How can you do that exactly? Perform regular skin checks. Every month or so when you are in the shower, perform a skin check by examining the moles and freckles on your skin and also by rubbing your hands over your skin. Do You notice any changes? Any abnormalities? If so, keep a close eye on them and schedule an appointment with our office. Remember that we would much rather you come into our office for nothing at all than let something dangerous go untreated.

Another great way to check for skin cancer is to get regular skin checks form Gwinnet Dermatology; remember that no skin issue or concern is too small for us to handle. To learn more about skin cancer or skin cancer treatment, schedule an appointment at our Loganville office and call (770) 972-4845.

Posted in: Medical Dermatology, Skin Cancer