4 Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Lately we have become so hyper-sensitive about sun exposure and the damaging effects it has on our health. Wearing sunscreen and using self-tanners can all help to prevent possible future outbreaks of skin cancer, but what about the sun exposure we've already had?

Unfortunately, there was probably a time when we weren't so careful. Previous sun exposure might cause skin cancer, so it's important for you (or a close friend) to check your skin. Look carefully at moles and beauty marks to see if they have any of these symptoms:

Fit's Tips: If you have any doubts about a specific mole, make an appointment with a dermatologist. They may perform a biopsy where they remove a portion of it and check for cancer. Since skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., it's better to be safe, so if they do find cancer cells or are unsure, they'll remove the entire mole. To protect yourself from future sun damage, check out these tips.

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DrSugar Schools Us on Skin Cancer

DrSugar — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:37:50 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she's schooling us on skin cancer.

Given that summertime is right around the corner and with warmer weather blessing a good part of the country, I figured it was a good time to share some knowledge about how to recognize skin cancers and how to prevent them.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is now the most common cancer among people 25-29 years old. Anyone can get melanoma and it can develop anywhere on one's body. Most often, however, according to the Mayo Clinic, it develops in areas that have had exposure to the sun, such as your back, legs, arms, and face. It can grow on areas where there is less exposure to the sun, such as the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, eyes, and fingernail beds.

Learn the signs of melanoma.