The reason why you hear about many cases of skin cancer-related death is that it requires you to be conscious of your skin, inspect your whole body and know what you are looking for. Most people do not know this, and that is why skin cancer is discovered too late when it has already spread to other organs in your body.
Skin cancer mostly develops because of exposure to harmful UV rays. Artificial tanning beds can also cause skin cancer, and that is why their use is discontinued. Here's what you need to know about skin cancer:
Who Is at More Risk of Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer can affect anybody; however, various individuals are more likely to suffer from it:
- People who live in hot areas and don't protect themselves from the sun's harmful UV rays (they should use sunglasses, sunscreen, light clothes that cover most of their bodies and hats).
- People with underlying health conditions that have suppressed their immune system, making their bodies too weak to fight off health problems.
- People with lighter complexion (they don't have enough melanin to protect them from the hot sun).
How Do You Tell Whether You Have Skin Cancer?
Signs of skin cancer include moles, lumps, spots or freckles that have a specific appearance. These are moles that change in colour, shape or thickness. The different colours you might see are changes from brown to black, bluish or red. You can also show crusty or non-healing sores. If you notice such symptoms, visit your dermatologist as soon as possible.
Sometimes, you may not be sure whether a mole you have is related to skin cancer; don't let it slide; visit a skin check clinic for a professional examination.
How Can You Protect Yourself from Skin Cancer?
You should observe good general health hygiene in terms of nutrition and body care. If you know it is hot, use sunscreen, hats and glasses.
Secondly, examine your body for moles at least twice a month; let your spouse help you examine areas you can't reach. Mirrors can also help; you might want to lie on the bed to get into positions that may make it easy for you to inspect every inch of your skin.
It is also a good idea to visit a skin cancer clinic to have a professional inspect your skin and give you advice on measures you need to apply to ensure you don't get skin cancer.
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