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View Full Version : Skin cancer.... know your ABCDE's



Bullion_Bob
21st May 2011, 01:15 AM
Saw someone close to me go down from this. I wish I knew this information years ago.

Thought I would post. Through all the cross linking, word of mouth, etc... it's certain to save a life.


(A) Asymmetry
Asymmetry means one half of a mole does not match the other half.
Normal moles are symmetrical. When checking your moles or freckles,
draw an imaginary line through the middle and compare the two halves.
If they do not look the same on both sides, have it checked by a dermatologist.

http://images.emedicinehealth.com/images/SlideShow/skin_cancer_s8_check_asymmetry.jpg


(B) Border
If the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred, or irregular, have
it checked by a dermatologist. Melanoma lesions often have uneven borders.

http://images.emedicinehealth.com/images/SlideShow/skin_cancer_s9_irregular_moles.jpg


(C) Color
A mole that does not have the same color throughout or that has shades of tan,
brown, black, blue, white, or red is suspicious. Normal moles are usually a single
shade of color. A mole of many shades or that has lightened or darkened should
be checked by a doctor.

http://images.emedicinehealth.com/images/SlideShow/skin_cancer_s10_suspicious_moles.jpg


(D) Diameter
A mole is suspicious if the diameter is larger than the eraser of a pencil.
Benign moles are usually less than 6 millimeters in diameter.

http://images.emedicinehealth.com/images/SlideShow/skin_cancer_s11_diameter_of_moles.jpg


(E) Elevation
If a portion of the mole appears elevated, or raised from the skin,
have it looked at by a doctor. Melanoma lesions often grow in size
or change in height rapidly. A mole that is evolving—shrinking, growing
larger, changing color, begins to itch or bleed—should also be checked.

http://images.emedicinehealth.com/images/SlideShow/skin_cancer_s12_elevation_of_moles.jpg

mick silver
21st May 2011, 06:27 AM
i have had a few spot remove from alway being in the sun . i see a skin doc at least once a year now . i cover up more when i am working in the sun all day .

lapis
21st May 2011, 12:13 PM
I had a small weird elevated bump on my face, and when I started taking this vitamin C from Vitacost.com one day it simply disappeared leaving no trace behind. I'm kicking myself because I can't remember the brand name! I think it had bioflavinoids and quercetin in it.