Some Signs of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a form of cancer that manifests itself in different ways and signs. The most common of skin cancer signs is a change in the skin like growths or sores that don't heal. If you find lumps that are smooth, shiny or waxy looking, or is red or reddish brown in color, it is better to visit the doctor to find out if you are suffering from skin cancer as early as possible.

Red spots that are rough or scaly are other skin cancer signs that should be shown to the doctor when in doubt. As skin cancer can start from or near a mole, make it a point to have your health care provider check all unusual moles that seem to be larger than others, have different colors or have irregular edges. This is because these are all signs for skin cancer.

Skin cancer signs are listed as the "ABCD" warning signs of melanoma where:

A - Asymmetry means that one half of the mole does not match the other half.

B - Border irregularity where the edges of the moles are ragged, blurred and notched.

C - Color where you find irregular pigmentation in the moles of your body. There may be moles in shades of tan, brown or black with a mottled or splotchy appearance.

D - Diameter where you find the width of the moles to be more than 6 millimeters, or the size of a pencil eraser. Abnormal growth in the mole should be reported and investigated.

The other signals for skin cancer are usually mottled, light brown to black and flat blemishes having irregular edges. These moles may turn red, blue or white and may also bleed or crust on its surface. The earliest skin cancer signs for squamous cell carcinoma are skin growths called actinic keratosis.

These are small and scaly spots that develop on the parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. They usually start as small, red and flat spots that grow large, scaly and thick like a wart and usually form on the face or back of hands.

The other signs you should keep an eye out for are:

* Changes in color or shape in existing moles, or moles that start to bleed or ooze.

* Moles that grow into unusually large size.

* Sores on the mole that heal very slowly.

* Blood blisters which you find under toenails, which develop on its own, and not because of a blow.

* New moles that develop after the age of 30. People usually get moles within the age of 30s; new moles that start after it have to be studied and investigated.

These skin cancer signs can be identified and declared skin cancer only by your doctor. So if you find any of these skin cancer signs, make sure that you consult your doctor to find out the next step to be taken.

Easy to Recognize Non Melanoma Skin Cancer Symptoms

Non-melanoma skin cancer is something that no one wants to have. However, it is a highly curable cancer if caught in the early stages. That is why it is so important to recognize the symptoms so that you can get diagnosed and treated early. Non-melanoma and melanoma are the two types of cancers that can occur. Non-melanoma cancers are the easiest to treat and are much more common than melanomas.

Millions of people suffer from non-melanoma skin cancer each year and go for treatment because they have one or more of the following symptoms:

1.) A mole that has a smooth texture and is shiny, light in color and waxy.

2.) Reddish or brownish scaly patches on the skin surface.

3.) Rough skin patches.

4.) A sore that doesn't heal.

5.) A small lump reddish in color that is firm to the touch.

6.) A strange new growth on the skin. Generally, most of these symptoms cause little if any pain, so it is sometimes easy to simply ignore them.

Often, skin cancer is detected at a routine physical exam. However, you can perform your own skin exams quite easily at home. Look closely at any changes or growths on your skin. If anything looks suspicious, go see your doctor immediately. It's always better to be safe than sorry. If you have a personal or family history of cancer, then it's better for you to see a dermatologist that specializes in skin disorders.

Anyone can get skin cancer, but fair skinned people with freckles are more at risk. If you sunburn easily or have been sunburned badly as a child, then you run a higher risk of getting the disease. Blue- and green-eyed people also are more susceptible as are "outdoorsy" individuals. While certain people run a greater risk, it is always advisable for everyone to use precautions any time they are out in the sun.

Skin cancer symptoms should never be taken lightly. Non-melanoma skin cancer is very common and is highly treatable. But, it must not be ignored. Always avoid UV radiation from the sun and limit your use of sun lamps and tanning beds. Do your routine skin exams and go see your doctor if you are at all in doubt.

Comments: Skin Cancer Symptoms

Stage 4 Lung Cancer - What Is It?

What is stage 4 lung cancer? It is the most advanced stage of lung cancer known today. Having cancer at this stage means that the tumor at the lungs has spread out to the other parts of the body. This is also called metastasis. Identifying lung cancer stage is important to determine the extent of the spread of cancer and what possible treatment that a willing cancer patient must go through if he opt to be treated. This type of lung cancer may affect the brain, the liver, the adrenal glands and the bone.

Usually, a lung cancer is not detected on its early stage. Most symptoms start to manifest only at the later stage of the disease. Some stage 4 lung cancer symptoms are persistent coughing and sometimes with bloody mucous, shortness of breath, hoarseness of voice, difficulty in swallowing, tenderness of muscles with intolerable muscle pains, repeated occurrence of pneumonia or bronchitis and fatigue. Affecting the brain, the symptoms are severe headaches, vision changes and seizure attacks. For the liver and adrenal glands, a cancer patient may experience abdominal pain, fever, yellowish skin, swollen legs, weight loss and loss of appetite. Bone breakage occurs even when there is no injury that took place. Note however that different people may show different symptoms as this will depend on the other organs affected.

One should undergo multiple tests when most of the symptoms manifest. Stage 4 lung cancer can be diagnosed through various tests like chest x-rays, bone scans, CT scans or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound and other blood tests. After taking all the necessary tests and a diagnosis has been made, an individual who is said to have this disease is entitled to get a second opinion, after all, its his life that is at stake. Note however that this lung cancer has no more cure but there are treatment methods that an individual may undergo to reduce pain at a certain level, slow down the growth of cancer cells and extend his life.

The common treatments recommended to slow down the spread of cancer cells for stage 4 lung cancer are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and in some cases the combination of both. Why not surgery? Surgery at this point in time is not recommended because as stated, this stage is characterized with the spread of tumors in various organs. The purpose of surgery is to remove the organ affected with tumor. To remove all the organs with tumor will just make the cancer patient weaker and may even be the cause for him to pass away sooner than he should. Chemotherapy, as a treatment, makes use of chemical agents to destroy the cancer cells. There are three ways to take this treatment. It can be taken orally, through injection or through the veins. What is important is the dosage of administering this treatment. But there is a setback. The treatment can also destroy non-cancer cells. Chemotherapy can not distinguish a good cell from a cancer cell. Radiation therapy on the other hand use radioactive substances to target and destroy the DNA of the cancer cells. An external machine can be used or a radioactive material can be inserted into the body and position it close to the area affected by the tumor. Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy can also damage normal body cells.

In consideration of the family of a cancer patient, they will also experience agony as they witness the physical hardships that their love one is going through. The cancer patient with so much effort will try not to show how much physical pain he is experiencing because he knows that his love ones will also suffer. In reciprocity, family members will try hard not to show how much they sympathize and empathize for their cancer patient. For most families, a disease such as stage 4 lung cancer has brought the family members closer to each other. One concern that brings the family together is the fact that this is a terminal case. It is but human nature to want to spend time with a love one who you know will be gone soon. Another reason concerns family decisions and support that need to be made. When a patient decides that he wants to undergo treatment, he will be needing all the support that his family can give.

Stage 4 lung cancer is a dreadful disease that no one wants to have but there are ways not to reach this stage if you already have lung cancer.

Signs of Skin Cancer - Finding the Threat

Skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in the world's population. Leading researchers theorize that nearly every case of skin cancer is curable if it is detected early enough. For this reason, learning about signs of skin cancer can literally save your life!

The signs of skin cancer can be described by a popular alphabetical mnemonic, or memory trick. Commonly known as the ABCs of skin cancer, each letter indicates a certain characteristic of those skin sores, or lesions, which may be cancerous. For example, "A" refers to asymmetry, because cancerous skin lesions are often irregularly shaped.

The second sign of a cancerous lesion, designated as "B," is a reminder that skin cancers, unlike normal moles or other skin tumors, often lack clearly defined borders. "C" stands for color, because cancer sores are often red, blue, white, or black in appearance, and look very different from benign skin growths.

The diameter, or size of the skin lesion, is described by "D," and reminds people that growths that are greater than a quarter of an inch in size should be evaluated by a medical professional. The final letter in the mnemonic is "E," which refers to elevation. Skin cancers are often raised above the surface of the skin, and have an uneven surface.

Other signs that characterize this type of cancer include the presence of sores that do not heal. These sores may begin to bleed or drain yellowish fluid for a time, then scab over and appear as though they are healing. They do not heal, however, but begin to drain and then scab over again.

Occasionally, cancerous tumors may grow from a mole or freckle. More often, however, these tumors appear as new growths on the surface of the skin. The presence of a new growth that can be described by any of the letters described above is a red flag; persons who discover these growths on their body should see a physician as soon as possible.

Although it is somewhat unusual, these sores may sometimes be painful or tender. Occasionally, they can itch. Most often, however, they do not cause tenderness or itching.

If you are an individual with fair or freckled skin, or if you frequently experience prolonged exposure to sunlight, or if anyone in your family has ever had skin cancer, be aware of these signs of skin cancer. Identifying a sore that may be skin cancer in its early stage may save your life!

Determining Skin Cancer Moles

People nowadays are likely to develop skin cancer moles because of long exposure to sunlight. The good news is that this type of cancer is the most curable if detected at the early stage. But if it is not treated, can result to death.

Moles are growth on the skin that is clustered and often brown, black or flesh-color and appears anywhere on the skin. The normal average of moles is from 10 to 40. However, an individual who have more than 100 moles are at risk to acquire melanoma.

Listed below are types of mole cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma that is developed on skin that is sun-damaged which is likely to affect Caucasian.

• Melanoma which is the rarest form of skin cancer and if not treated will spread to the other parts of the body and will then lead to fatality and is blue in color.

• Squamous cell carcinoma is targeting fair skinned people but affects men than women.it can destroy tissues and is invasive. Causing health problems and if untreated will lead to death.

• Actinic Keratosis can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if not cured early. It affects fair skinned people, eyes that are blue, hazel and green and individuals who have blonde and red hair. People who have weak immune system are also susceptible to acquire this type of skin cancer. This mole is typically rough, pink or red patches and.5 inch in size.

• Actinic cheilitis or commonly known as "sailors lip" or "farmers lip". The lower lip is affected and can lead to squamous cell carcinoma. People that are fair skinned, elderly, men and those that use tobacco are affected. The growth of this skin cancer is accompanied by cracking on the lips and dryness.

Here are the guides to be able to identify if the mole on your skin is cancerous. The ABCDE are vital in enabling you characterize the risky moles.

• A - Asymmetry. If the other half of the mole is not the same in size, color, thickness and shape.

• B - Borders. The edges are irregular, blurred, poorly defined and rough.

• C - Color. Uneven shades of brown and black or the mole has added colors of brown, red, black, blue and white

• D - Diameter. A mole that is greater than 6mm or the size of a pencil eraser.

• E - Elevation. Part of the mole is raised.

If you are suspecting that you have skin cancer moles, it is important to consult a dermatologist. They are the ones who are capable of examining the mole if it can cause health problems.

There procedures that can remove the moles that pose risk to your health. Don't get sun exposure when the sun is shining at its hottest (10am-3pm) and apply sunscreen. Be aware of the changes and have a skin check regularly.

What Does a Cancerous Mole Look Like?

Not all moles are precancerous and not all moles look like melanoma, skin cancer. If you want to know, "What does a cancerous mole look like?", then you need to know what normal moles look like first.

The scientific term for moles is nevi. A normal mole is symmetrical. That means that if you folded it in half, the two halves would match, or be very close to matching. The borders of a normal mole are smooth and even all the way around. The color of a normal mole varies. They are black, brown, flesh toned, red, blue and translucent. They usually are uniform in color throughout. Some are flat, some are raised and some moles are almost bulbous and very soft.

Normal moles grow in different layers of the skin and that's one way to classify them. Those that grow in the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, are junctional nevus. This type of mole is almost flat to the skin, although they may be slightly raised. A second type of mole has cells in both the dermis and epidermis and it's called a compound nevus. These are more raised than the junctional nevus and have a brown to black color. The third type of mole grows in the dermis, the inner layer of skin. They are brown to flesh tone and often soft and raised to form a small mound or ball on the skin surface.

Some normal moles that look like cancerous moles are blue nevi. The coloring of these moles often gets them confused with cancerous growths.

Most normal moles are smaller than six mm. Very large moles that remain the same throughout your lifetime often aren't cancerous, but should continuously be checked for changes.

Now that you know what a normal mole looks like, what does a cancerous mole look like? First cancerous moles have irregular edges. There are twists and turns in the boarders that normal moles don't have. Normal moles are mostly round or oval.

Next, normal moles are symmetrical. Cancerous moles are not. Sometimes a cancerous mole has indentations on one side, but the other is perfectly smooth. There is no way the two sides match.

Cancerous moles tend to have irregular colors. The color is often not consistent throughout the cancerous mole.

Cancerous moles sometimes ulcerate and bleed. One sign that should send you to the doctor immediately is a bleeding mole.

Some moles are atypical, meaning that they don't fit the pattern for regular moles but are not cancerous. These are dysplastic moles. They sometimes develop into cancer but they aren't necessarily cancerous. Their borders are irregular, they are asymmetrical and often look like cancerous growths.

If you can remember the first four letters of the alphabet, you'll know what to look for when you look for a cancerous mole. A means asymmetry, B stands for the borders with irregular edges, C is the lack of uniform color and D is the diameter or size greater than six millimeters. Also, watch for any mole that suddenly develops where there was none before and beware of a mole that bleeds.