Learn about the most important symptoms of skin cancer and ways to detect them yourself with the following article.
Skin cancer usually develops on areas exposed to the sun, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, hands and even feet, especially in women. The infection is not limited to these areas, so it is important for everyone to know the symptoms of skin cancer.
Symptoms of skin cancer according to its types
Skin cancer is the abnormal growth and reproduction of skin cells. There are three types of skin cancer, including:
1- Basal cell carcinoma
This cancer affects areas exposed to the sun and the symptoms of this type of skin cancer may appear as follows:
Waxy or scaly mass
Flat, brown scar.
2- Squamous cell carcinoma
This type of skin cancer usually affects areas exposed to the sun as well as areas not exposed to the sun.
Dark-skinned people are generally more likely to develop this type of skin cancer in places not exposed to the sun.
The symptoms of this type of skin cancer are:
Small red and hard nodule.
A scaly scar with a surface filled with scales.
3- Melanoma
Melanoma can arise from any part of the body and is considered one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer and affects all people and body colors.
Symptoms of this type of skin cancer include:
A large brown spot with dark spots inside.
A mole that changes color, size and texture and can sometimes bleed.
A small scar with asymmetrical borders and appears in different colors like red, white, blue and dark blue.
Dark spots on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, fingers and toes, or on the mucous membranes of the walls of the mouth, nose, vagina or anus.
Skin Cancer Symptoms for Less Common Types
After knowing about the common types of skin cancer and their symptoms, we will now review with you the less common symptoms of skin cancer, namely:
1- Kaposi’s sarcoma
Kaposi’s sarcoma is a rare type of skin cancer that affects the blood vessels in the skin and causes red or purple spots on the skin.
This type of skin cancer usually affects people with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS or those taking medications that weaken the immune system.
2- Merkel cell carcinoma
Symptoms of this type of skin cancer include the appearance of hard nodules on or under the skin and in the hair follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma usually starts in the head or neck.
3- Cancer of the sebaceous glands
This is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that affects the oil glands of the skin and usually starts in the eyelids.
Skin Cancer Symptoms: When Do You Notice Them?
After knowing the symptoms of different types of skin cancer, we should always monitor our body. The earlier symptoms are detected, the better the treatment results, even in cases of melanoma, which is the most aggressive type of skin cancer.
You should also immediately consult a doctor for advice as soon as you notice any strange signs on your body as they may be a symptom of skin cancer and its infection. This will save the patient a lot of suffering and time.
It is therefore important that everyone knows their body well and distinguishes between normal and abnormal, in order to be able to notice any suspicious changes.
It should be noted that skin cancer is usually not painful, but changes in the skin are easy to see and notice, so you should check your body regularly.
Skin Cancer Symptoms: Here’s How to Examine Your Body
Follow these steps regularly to examine your body yourself and make sure you don’t have any symptoms of skin cancer:
Remove all clothing and make sure there is enough light to see your entire body.
Use a mirror to look at hard-to-reach areas like your back.
Be sure to check all parts of the body, even places that aren’t exposed to direct sunlight, like between the fingers and under the nails.
But what am I looking for?
There is a guide to checking the symptoms of skin cancer called ABCD, which stands for:
It refers to asymmetry: any detail
You should also look for:
- New moles.
- Increase in the size of moles.
- Moles that become prominent over time.
- Spots that change color from brown to black.
- Spots that have lumps inside them.
- Moles whose surface becomes hard.
- Moles that cause itching.
- Moles bleed.
- Spots that look different from those on your body.
- Looking for symptoms of skin cancer and regular self-examination of the body contribute to diagnosing skin cancer early, which increases recovery and treatment rates.
