Responsible Tanning: Recognizing Signs of Skin Cancer

We all know that there are some risks involved with sun tanning. It has become common knowledge that spending too much time in the sun or getting a sunburn can lead to skin cancer down the road. Of course, if you take proper precautions while tanning, you won't have to worry about the possibility of developing skin cancer from sun exposure. If you have already spent a little too much time in the sun or if you are otherwise considered a high risk candidate for skin cancer, however, there are several early warning signs to watch for. Primarily, you can keep an eye on your moles to give you a sign that you might need to stop in to see a doctor.

Asymmetry

Having moles on your skin is not a reason for concern. If your moles start to show certain changes, however, there may be cause for concern. One of the signs to watch for is whether or not your mole is symmetrical.

For a mole to be symmetrical, each half of the mole should look the same. Therefore, if you were to draw an imaginary line down the middle of any portion of your mole, both sides should look the same. If your mole is asymmetric or if one side is larger than the other, you should have a health care professional take a look at it.

Border

An irregular border on a mole is also cause for concern. The border of your mole should be well defined and distinct. If it is notched or otherwise irregular, it is more likely to be cancerous or precancerous than a mole with a regular border.

Color

The moles on your body can be slightly different shades from one another, though they will likely be pretty similar in color. If one mole has more than one color or shade, however, it is cause for concern. If it has a variety of different shades of brown or black, or if it has white, blue, or red hues, you should have your doctor take a look.

Diameter

The size of the mole is another area you should watch. In general, smaller moles are better. If a mole gets to be larger than the eraser on a pencil, which is about 6 mm in diameter, you should have it looked at by a professional.

Elevation

Finally, you should also keep an eye on the elevation of your mole. Moles that are elevated, which means they are raised from the skin, are more likely to be cancerous or precancerous than other moles.

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