Knowing the Signs of Skin Cancer and How to Protect Yourself From It
- Kristina Angeli, a bodybuilding mom, discovered a concerning mole near her ear that turned out to be melanoma, a type of skin cancer. After undergoing treatment, she’s now celebrating two years ‘cancer-free.’
- Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in the cells that give your skin, hair, and eyes their color. In melanoma, the cells change, allowing them to spread to other organs.
- Skin cancer experts recommend checking your body for unusual spots or moles at least once a month. Any new spots or changes in size or color demand your attention.
- Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a microscopically controlled procedure that removes skin cancer by conservatively cutting along the entire margin until the surgeon reaches clear tissue.
- Using sunscreen daily with an SPF of 30 or higher effectively protects your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer.
Kristina Angeli, a posing coach and fitness guru, is deeply in tune with her body – so when she spotted a peculiar mole near her ear, she took notice. What began as a cosmetic concern ahead of a competition quickly turned into something far more serious: a diagnosis of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.
“The mole near my ear was ugly, and I wanted to get it removed for vanity reasons,” Angeli said in an Instagram post.
Read MoreView this post on InstagramAngeli added the mole was next to a “major nerve,” which posed an added risk.
“I could lose all sensation to the left side of my face. That was only the beginning…” Angeli said before learning the severity of her situation.
View this post on Instagram
“That mole above her ear is cancer, and in a few months she’ll be going in for life changing surgery,” Angelis captioned an Instagram video of her exercising with her mole visible.
While Agelis did not disclose the type of treatment she received, she noted this year marks “two years cancer-free” and is encouraging others to get their skin checked. She credits her vigilance for saving her life and giving her young son many more years with his mom.Helping You Cope With Skin Cancer
Pinpointing Signs of Skin Cancer
You should check your body for unusual spots or moles at least once a month. Any new spots or changes in size or color demand your attention.
Changes to a mole you’ve had for a while or a new growth on your skin could be signs of melanoma, according to SurvivorNet’s experts. Though these marks are unlikely to be cancerous, you’ll want to keep an eye on them and inform your doctor about any changes you notice.WATCH: When checking for melanoma, remember your ABCDEs
Melanoma is most likely to develop on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, arms, and legs. Surprisingly, it might also develop in places that have never been exposed to the sun, such as the palms of your hands or soles of your feet, your eyes or mouth, or under your nails.
SurvivorNet experts describe melanoma symptoms as:
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- Color that spreads from the border of a spot to the skin around it
- Redness or swelling that goes beyond the area of a mole.
- Itchiness, tenderness, or pain
- A change in the way the surface of a mole looks.
- Scaliness, oozing, or blood
Using Mohs Surgery to Treat Skin Cancer
Mohs surgery is the most common option in areas such as the face, ears, and nose.
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a microscopically controlled procedure that removes skin cancer by conservatively cutting along the entire margin until the surgeon reaches clear tissue. It’s commonly used to remove other skin cancers, such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas.WATCH: Best surgery option for melanoma.
During the procedure, your doctor will numb the area with anesthesia and remove the tumor using a scalpel. You’ll be asked to wait while they analyze layers of the removed sample under a microscope. The procedure is done one layer at a time, examining each layer for cancer cells before removing the next layer.
This process continues until all cancer cells are removed from the area.
Cancer removal usually leads to a cure in the early stages of the disease.WATCH: Melanoma treatment options
Tips to Protect Your Skin from Skin Cancer
As much as many of us enjoy spending lots of time in the sun during the spring and summer, we must remember that the sun can harm us. For most people, there are simple ways to significantly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman offers five ways to protect your skin from cancer. Most of her recommendations are simple to follow and could save your life.WATCH: How to protect your skin from skin cancer.
Her simple tips include:
- Avoid the sun during peak hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are outside during those hours, protect yourself from harmful sun rays.
- Cover your skin and eyes. A wide-brim hat and sunglasses will protect your face, the top of your head, your ears, and the delicate skin around your eyes.
- Wear an SPF of 30 or higher. Dr. Engelman also recommends reapplying every few hours or after excessive sweating or swimming.
- Get an annual skin check. You can check your skin for anything that looks out of the ordinary, but you should still get a yearly check to ensure you don’t miss anything. If you notice anything unusual between checks, schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor.
- Avoid tanning beds. If you feel like you’re just too pale, Dr. Engelman recommends a sunless tanner. “There’s absolutely no benefit to going to a tanning bed,” Dr. Engelman said.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, you may have some questions for your doctor. SurvivorNet suggests some of the following to help you on your cancer journey.
- What type of skin cancer do I have?
- What treatment options exist for my specific cancer?
- Will insurance cover this treatment?
- Would treatment through a clinical trial make sense to me?
- What resources exist to help manage my anxiety because of this diagnosis?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
ANSWER QUESTIONS
