Skin cancer is not always easy to identify. It is therefore important to recognize symptoms early. The warning signs differ depending on the shape. You should pay attention to this on your skin.
changes to the skin from too much sun exposure skin cancer favor. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to certain characteristics that may indicate this type of cancer. The changes often show up in the nose, throat and ears. Depending on the shape, these characteristics differ significantly.
Skin cancer symptoms: These signs indicate white skin cancer
One in 50 Germans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, writes the German Cancer Society. When talking about skin cancer, a distinction is made between light and black skin cancer. Light skin cancer is known in technical terms as non-melanotic skin cancer. According to that Center for Cancer Registry Data it occurs more frequently in men than in women. Three quarters of the cases have basal cell carcinomas (basaliomas), which are usually not life-threatening. A quarter of the data falls back on squamous cell carcinoma.
Typical for white skin cancer can be ulcers, wounds or areas of skin that bleed, hurt, are crusted and scabbed or heal very poorly. This sore can appear translucent, shiny, pink, pearly white, or red. The edges are raised. It often feels rough. Also, a tiny little, slow-growing, shiny, pink or red lump can indicate this type of skin cancer. “It persists after a few weeks and slowly progresses over months or sometimes years,” writes the National Health Service (NHS). The skin changes often do not heal after four weeks.
You can recognize black skin cancer by these warning signs
Altered moles or new growths can indicate black skin cancer (malignant melanoma). “Normal moles are usually round or oval with a smooth edge and are usually no larger than 6mm in diameter,” the NHS explains, explaining that this is not a sure sign of melanoma. “A healthy mole can be larger than 6 mm in diameter, and a cancerous mole can be smaller than that diameter.”
The ABCDE checklist can be used to distinguish a healthy mole from a malignant melanoma:
Asymmetrical: Melanomas often have an irregular shape or two halves.
Edge: The edge of malignant melanoma is usually ragged or nicked
Colours: Two or more colored moles can indicate a melanoma.
Diameter: Most melanomas are more than 6 millimeters in diameter.
enlargement or increase: A birthmark that enlarges over time can indicate black skin cancer.
How to protect yourself from sunburn and skin cancer
Protective measures can reduce the risk of disease. Be careful not to expose yourself to UV light without protection. Use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor from SPF 30. Special UV protective clothing can also protect. A sun hat and sunglasses should also always be worn if the UV index is high. It is also advisable not to go out at midday or to go to a shady place. You can get sunburned even in the shade.
Also read: Skin Cancer Alert! This sunscreen trend is totally insane
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