It is important to get a timely diagnosis of skin cancer, because this can save a life, especially in cases of certain types of cancer, such as melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In 2011, there were more than 70,000 cases of melanoma and 8,800 deaths in the United States. If you can detect skin cancer early, you can prevent it from spreading and it will be possible to eradicate it with minimal side effects in the long term. Since it is so important to be able to diagnose it early, you can follow some simple steps to learn how to recognize it.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Undergo a Self-Exam for Skin Cancer
Step 1. Perform a skin inspection
The best way to check yourself for anomalies is to have a self-inspection, or self-examination. Choose a specific day of the month and write it down on the calendar. Examine every single area of skin, without excluding any. After observing the most accessible areas, take a mirror to check the genitals, the anal area, the one between the toes and other areas that are more difficult to see normally. A body map image can help you and tick off each area as you check it. You can find these templates online.
- To analyze the scalp, ask for help from a friend, partner, or spouse. Divide your hair into sections by observing and feeling the skin for any erosions, scales, or dark lesions.
- With the advent of tanning beds and the fashion for full tanning, there is also a risk of developing cancer of the vulva or penis. Take the skin exam seriously and meticulously and do not leave out any areas. To properly inspect the body, the most important thing is to know what different types of skin cancers look like.
Step 2. Check your skin for basal cell carcinoma
It is the most common form of skin cancer, often caused by exposure of the head to the sun (including the neck and ears). This tumor is erosive in nature, which means that the tumor cells that locally invade the area "eat" the tissue they attack. This type of cancer metastasizes, that is, it spreads to other parts of the body. Risk factors are sun exposure, use of tanning beds, propensity to have freckles, fair skin, the amount of sunburn in life, and smoking.
The lesions are the color of the flesh, tend to bleed and have a kind of hole in the center. They have the appearance of eroded flesh and are usually 1-2 cm in size
Step 3. Recognize the characteristics of melanoma
In this case, it is particularly important to be able to identify it early on, as it is the most lethal form of skin cancer. When it is in stage 1 it is still possible to cure it. However, when it progresses into the later stages, on average only 15% of patients survive more than a few years. Skin lesions associated with melanoma have certain characteristics that can be recognized during a self-inspection and which are based on a pattern ABCDE.
- TO stands for the typical shape tosymmetrical of the affected area, where one half of the lesion does not correspond to the other half.
- You also need to check the bordi, which are generally irregular, jagged and indented, but not sharp and defined.
- The cThe skin's color can change in the surrounding area, creating a kind of reserve dye effect, with shades of black, brown and blue.
- Also check the ddiameter of the lesion. It is usually greater than 6 mm.
- Also pay attention to whether the mole or the blemish over time Andvolve or change in appearance.
Step 4. Inspect the skin for squamous cell carcinoma
This squamous cell carcinoma in its earliest stage appears as a precancerous lesion, called actinic keratosis, which is not yet a proper cancer. It generally manifests as scaly flesh or a pink-colored lesion and forms mostly on the head, neck, and trunk. Over time, the precancerous form develops into squamous cell lesions, small raised, flat and painless sores with rounded edges; they can appear alone or in clusters and are usually less than 2cm in size. They can be itchy, bleed easily, and look like wounds that don't heal and don't go away, even if they don't grow further.
- Spots larger than 2cm have a 10-25% chance of being aggressive and spreading. The lesions that are most likely to spread to other parts of the body are those that begin to form on the nose, lips, tongue, ears, penis, temples, scalp, eyelids, scrotum, anus, forehead, and hands.
- In 6-10% of cases there is a risk that multiple precancerous growths can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
- There are several categories of people who are at risk of developing this form of cancer, including those who have chronic lesions or skin diseases. Those who are excessively exposed to UVA and UVB rays, ionizing radiation, carcinogenic chemicals and arsenic are also at risk, as well as those who have contracted the human papilloma virus (HPV) 6, 11, 16 and 18, those with leukemia or lymphomas, those suffering from acne or taking immunosuppressive drugs.
Step 5. Monitor the injuries
As you examine your body for any of the three different types of growths, take notes. You must take a picture of any suspicious lesions and mark them in red on your body map. When you repeat the self-exam the following month, you will need to check for any changes. Take another photo and compare it with the one from the previous month.
If you notice any changes - even minor ones - see a dermatologist. Go to the appointment with the body map and photos, so you can clearly show the evolution of the injury
Part 2 of 2: Diagnosing Skin Cancer
Step 1. Get a clinical diagnosis
After you notice an abnormal spot on your body, you need to be examined by a licensed dermatologist. This way you can understand what type of cancer you have developed and what stage it is at. Once the specific type of growth has been established based on the typical characteristics of the lesions, the doctor will evaluate the different options with you based on your specific situation. The dermatologist may opt for immediate surgical excision if he is certain that this is the right solution for the type of tumor. If, on the other hand, he has doubts, he may decide to perform a dermatoscopy, a procedure that involves observing the lesion through a high-powered microscope.
- Sometimes a confocal laser scanning microscope is also used, an advanced and non-invasive imaging tool that provides real-time images of the epidermis and superficial dermis. This device helps distinguish benign from malignant lesions.
- The doctor may also consider taking a biopsy. Although this is a test that is still performed today, it does not always provide 100% certain results.
- These techniques further help the doctor recognize a melanoma and distinguish it from other lesions that are difficult to diagnose.
Step 2. Treat squamous cell carcinoma promptly
If you have lesions that can be traced back to actinic keratosis (the precancerous stage), you need to start treating them right away so you don't develop into squamous cell carcinoma. A single actinic keratosis lesion is relatively easy to cure. However, if you have several, the treatment may be less effective. In this case you can only keep them monitored; observe the formations of the lesions for some time, before choosing a way to remove them.
When you have a single actinic keratosis lesion, you can remove it with cryotherapy, a procedure that involves freezing the spot with liquid nitrogen. You can also consider scraping electrodissection, which cauterizes and removes the lesion with a scalpel. Other alternatives are laser resurfacing or fluorouracil application
Step 3. Take care of other skin cancers
The first treatment for this type of cancer is surgery. The doctor performs an operation when it is possible to remove the neoformation or lesion and eradicate it completely with clear surgical margins. Another popular option is the Mohs technique. It is a micrographic surgery applied to those types of skin cancer that are not melanomas, to basal cell carcinoma and to squamous cell carcinoma.
These growths grow in the area where the first tumor developed and only occasionally generate metastases. Although localized, they can however become aggressive, erode the tissues and recur several times. These carcinomas are more often treated with Mohs micrographic surgery, because this technique guarantees the complete removal of the malignant nodule from the excision site, which could generate recurrences
Step 4. Prevent future skin cancers
You need to take precautions to protect yourself as much as possible from the risk of developing the disease. Since sun exposure is the main cause of this carcinoma, when you go outdoors apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, also put an additional protective barrier in the most vulnerable areas of the body., such as the head and neck; you can also wear a hat.
- You must avoid using tanning beds.
- Remember that squamous cell carcinoma can also develop on mucous membranes, such as the lips and tongue. it can also become aggressive and spread.
