How to recognize the five warning signs of skin cancer
Various skin changes can appear on the body. Not all of them are dangerous, but it's worth keeping an eye on every mole. A specialist explained what should alarm us and prompt a visit to the doctor. The expert pointed out five warning signs.
24 July 2024 11:01
Smaller and larger spots or other skin changes appear on our bodies throughout our lives. Even with small moles, observation and caution are necessary. What should concern us and prompt an examination?
Popular on social media, Dr. Sooj recommended a practical method for self-examining changes in a video published on TikTok. He also revealed five symptoms that signal it's time to see a specialist.
Notice such a change? Check if it's dangerous
Melanoma can appear anywhere on the body. However, according to Dr. Sooj, it most often occurs on the legs and back. Some rarer types can develop inside the eye, on the soles of the feet, palms, or genital organs. Check your skin for unusual changes or new growths, advises the expert.
The family medicine specialist emphasized that every change should be thoroughly checked. First, its shape—a mole's asymmetry can signal that it is cancerous. Second, the borders. Irregular, "jagged" borders characterize melanomas. The third warning sign is colour. If the skin change consists of, for example, two or more colours, it should catch our attention.
But that’s not the end of the list. The fourth concerning feature of a skin change is its diameter. If a mole is quite large and reaches over 6 millimetres, it is essential to make an appointment with the doctor. The fifth warning is changes. If a mole grows, changes colours bleeds or becomes crusty, we might be dealing with melanoma.
