Skin Cancer Signs to Watch Out For

Cancer of the skin is common for people who have spent lots of time under the sun, without protection from the rays. It affects people of all skin tones. Cancer signs primarily develops on parts of the body that are most exposed to the sun, such as the hands, legs, neck, face, lips, and ears. There are also various stages of skin cancer, and each with their own symptoms.

Signs of skin cancer may be tricky to diagnose, but once you think you have the following then you should see a doctor at the soonest possible time:

1. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of Cancer signs. However, it is also the most easily treated, and signs of skin cancers tend to appear as a bump on your face or neck with a shiny exterior, or a flat lesion on the chest or back that may be flesh or brown in color.

2. Squamous cell carcinoma has a higher tendency to spread compared to basal cell carcinoma, and can only be treated if detected early. Cancer signs include a firm, red roundish lump on the hands, arms, face, neck or ears. It may also exhibit itself as a flat lesion with a more scaly and crusty surface on these same locations in the body.

3. Melanoma is the most severe and serious form of skin cancer. It is fatal and has led to many deaths, which is why early detection is extremely important in survival. Skin cancer signs of melanoma exhibit itself differently for men and women. Men should watch out for signs of melanoma on their head, neck, or trunk, while for women, it commonly affects the arms or legs. Signs of Cancer to watch out for:

a. Small lesions with irregular borders with white, blue, or red spots.
b. A mole anywhere in the body that changes shape frequently and has irregular borders. It may also change color and size and may bleed.
c. Dark-colored lesions located in the fingertips, toes, palms, hands, or on mucous membranes such as the anus, lips, or vagina.
d. Firm bumpy moles that have a waxy or pearly exterior that may appear anywhere on the body.

4. Kaposi sarcoma is a form of Cancer that is not common, but it is as severe as melanoma. Because it forms in the skin's blood vessels, signs of skin cancer include the appearance of purple and red colored patches in the skin and mucous membranes.

5. Sebaceous gland carcinoma is characterized by painless nodules and often diagnosed as benign cancer. These can appear anywhere, although common affected sites are the eyelids. It is not a popular case but still, it is considered very dangerous.

If you are unsure about skin cancer signs, you may want to get the opinion of a doctor or dermatologist as waiting until the signs are more aggressive is a bad idea. Catching skin cancer early on is the best bet for survival.

Neelima P is an author and publisher of many health related websites. For more information on skin cancer basics, prevention methods and treatment options, visit his website at: Skin Cancer Information

Fun and Safe in the Sun

Most everyone loves the sun. Bright light invigorates and helps boost your mood. Unfortunately the sun has some downsides, too. Spending a lot of time outside without taking precautions can lead to health problems.

We are programmed to think tans are a good thing. Pick up most any edition of a women's magazine published in the summer and you will see an article on how to get a healthy tan. Talk to any doctor at a south Chicago hospital and you will hear how unhealthy a "healthy" tan can be. Skin cancer is the most common cancer, and 85% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. Basil cell carcinoma looks like a smooth, raised bump which some people think is a sore that will not heal. It is the most easily cured of skin cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma resembles a red, scaly patch and is the second most dangerous skin cancer. Melanomas are the rarest but most dangerous form of skin cancer. They are often dark in appearance. A mole that changes size or appearance might be a melanoma that needs to be checked out.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer amongst young people. Wilmington Illinois hospital workers can tell you that this is in part due to the widespread use of tanning beds. Teens and young adults use tanning beds in part to look better and in part to feel better. Recent studies have shown that people who use tanning beds can become addicted to them as if they were a drug. Users report increased feelings of well-being after using the beds and depression if they have to miss a session. There is some talk of enacting legislation to limit tanning bed use, but education is probably a better choice. Advances are made every year in sunless tanning that enable you to get the sun-kissed look without the UV damage. Young people need to know as well that too much sun now can lead to increased wrinkles, brown spots, and other signs of aging at earlier ages than if they avoided UV exposure.

The sun's main benefit is in helping the human body produce Vitamin D. This vitamin is essential in helping the body absorb calcium which is needed for strong bones. While Momence Illinois hospital workers will tell you vitamin D is important, you need to balance the benefits with the risks. Many food products, particularly dairy items, are fortified with vitamin D. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna, eggs, and mushrooms are good sources as well. While there is no consensus on safe sun exposure, research seems to indicate you can get all the vitamin D you need from sunlight with only 10-30 minutes of sun exposure a week. If you plan to spend more time than that in direct sunlight, you should use some form of UV protection. A shot glass amount of SPF 30 or higher sunscreen can provide adequate protection from the sun's dangers. More sunscreen will need to be applied every few hours or after spending time in the water. Another option is to buy clothing that has built in sun protection.

If you are concerned about your skin cancer risk, you can make an appointment to talk to a doctor at Riverside Medical Center. Their south Chicago hospital, Wilmington Illinois hospital, and Momence Illinois hospital locations make is easy to get healthcare in the area south of Chicago.

The Relationship Between the Sun and Anti-Aging

As we all know, aging is an inevitable process. Regardless of how much money or time you invest into anti-aging measures, your face will still show some signs of aging. However, this in no way means that you need to look as old as you actually are. Thanks to the wide array of anti-aging products which are available, you can easily look younger than your true age. Unfortunately, many people spend too much money on these products without understanding the actual causes of aging. In addition to the natural aging that occurs, there is one factor which causes more signs of aging than anything else.
The sun is the number one cause of aging. Whether it is from intentional tanning or innocent yard work, the sun has the ability to wrinkle your facial skin in no time. The wrinkles caused by the sun are the most profound of any wrinkles that can be seen on the face. In order to combat this problem, there are a few steps that are necessary to take. The first step is avoiding sun exposure as much as possible. This does not mean that you should sit inside all day, but when venturing outside, try to find places which are not directly in the line of sun exposure. Also, wearing things such as hats or clothing can provide great coverage. More importantly, sunscreen is a must anytime that you step foot outside. Sunscreen is the single most effective tool when combating the sun. Whether you will be in direct sunlight or just going for a hike in the mountains, you should always put sunscreen on any areas of skin that will be exposed to the sun. By taking steps to prevent sun damage, you can decrease the amount of aging your skin endures exponentially.