How Do I Know If I Have Skin Cancer?

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How Do I Know If I Have Skin Cancer?
By The Doctor Weighs In
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Peggy

• I walked into the exam room to see Peggy, an
  overweight blond-haired, blue-eyed, middle-aged
  Irish woman who was wrapped in a blue paper gown.
  She was sweating profusely. After a brief
  greeting, she blurted out, I think I have skin
  cancer. 

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Tina

• Later, that same day, Tina, a young brunette Wall
  Street trader also visited the office with
  concerns that she had skin cancer. She noticed a
  new brown colored growth on her right upper leg.

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What is skin cancer?

• Skin cancer is the out-of-control growth of cells
  found in the uppermost layer of skin, the
  epidermis. Due to damaged DNA that triggers
  mutations, the cells multiple rapidly and form
  malignant skin cancers.

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Types of skin cancer
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Basal cell carcinoma

• Skin cancers that arise from the out-of-control
  growth of these basal cells are called basal cell
  carcinomas. This is the most common form of skin
  cancer.

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Melanoma

• In addition to these active basal cells,
  pigment-producing cells called melanocytes are
  also found within the basal layer. The pigment
  produced by these cells is responsible for skin
  color.

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Merkel cell carcinoma

• Another less common type of cell found within the
  basal layer of the skin is the called merkel
  cell. These cells act as touch receptors sending
  information about light touch and pressure
  sensation to the brain.

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Squamous cell carcinoma

• As the basal cells divide and move upward they
  form thin flatter skin cells that make up the
  outermost layers of the epidermis. These cells
  will eventually shed and be replaced by newer
  underlying cells.

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Skin cancer is easy to self-detect

• One in five Americans is expected to develop skin
  cancer in their lifetime. Anyone can get it,
  regardless of skin color, age or gender.
• Fortunately, skin cancer is one of the easiest of
  all cancers to diagnose. Further, if it is found
  early, it is relatively easy to treat. Because
  they are almost always visible on the skin, if
  the person is looking for changes, they are
  likely to find a skin cancer early.
• Related content A Little Lump Or Bump On Your
  Eyelid? Beware, It Could Be Skin Cancer

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The bottom line

• If you find a new growth on your skin how do you
  know if it is cancer? The simple answer you
  dont.  The average layperson does not know how
  to diagnose skin cancer, nor are you expected to.
  But it is your job to help find it!

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Get in Touch
The Doctor Weighs In Author Fayne Frey,
MD Click Here To Read The Full
Article https//thedoctorweighsin.com/skin-cancer
/ Website https//thedoctorweighsin.com/ Email
info_at_thedoctorweighsin.com
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Thank You