Skin Cancer and Prevention

As we enter the hottest month of the year in the southern United States, skin cancer becomes a major concern—but how can you prevent it?

To look out for something, you first have to know what you are looking for. Some signs and symptoms for skin cancer may include: 

• A new growth on the skin that might look like a mole, a bump or a scab

• A rough patch on the skin

• A sore on the skin that won't heal

• Changes to a mole or freckle, such as getting bigger or changing color

• Itchy skin around a skin growth

• Pain around a skin growth

The Mayo Clinic provides a more in-depth guide on how to tell if you may have a form of skin cancer.

But how would someone get skin cancer—and how can you take care of yourself to avoid getting it?

Skin cancer is mostly caused by direct exposure to ultraviolet rays, which come from sunlight and tanning beds. Most forms can be caused by sunlight; however, some can be caused by a weakened immune system or be hereditary. Make sure to contact your doctor if any irregular spots show up on your skin.

Skin cancer can also form where sunlight doesn’t usually hit, these areas being the palms of the hands, the genitals, and under the fingernails and toenails.

Worried you may have skin cancer? There’s a simple test you can do at home to check for early warning signs. While I always recommend seeing a doctor for a professional evaluation, this test can help you catch possible skin cancer in its early stages.

Look at the mole or area of the skin that you are worried about, then run through the ABCs of melanoma.

• Asymmetry: A spot where one half doesn't match the other in shape or appearance.

• Border: Irregular, notched, or blurred borders instead of smooth, well-defined edges.

• Color: A mix of colors within the same mole, such as shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue.

• Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters.

• Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or other characteristics of a mole over time (e.g., itching, bleeding).

The American Academy of Dermatology Association provides more in-depth information on how this test was created and videos on how to properly conduct a skin self-exam.

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent skin cancer is to practice sun protection. This includes:

• Staying in the shade

• Wearing clothing that covers your arms and legs

• Wearing a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck

• Wearing sunglasses that wrap around and block both UVA and UVB rays

• Using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, don’t panic—most early forms are treatable. Early detection is key to getting the most optimal treatment plan for skin cancer. If you detect changes in your skin or think you might be at risk, contact your doctor for a consultation. 

At Surgery Associates, we understand the stress that can come with finding out you are experiencing a health issue. That’s why we are committed to providing same-day appointments with no referral needed. Call us today at (662) 844-5344 or visit our Patient Resources page to request an appointment. Our office is located at 440 Pegram Drive in Tupelo, Mississippi.