'Teen Mom' Skin Cancer Scare
- Teen Mom 2 star Jenelle Evans is awaiting the results of a biopsy to learn if she has skin cancer.
- She shared the news on social media, revealing that her doctor is testing a mole on her thigh.
- If you are fair-skinned, have blond hair and blue eyes, a family history of skin cancer and/or have many moles all over your body, you are at higher risk than most for skin cancer.
She shared the news on social media, revealing that her doctor is testing a mole on her thigh.
Read More"Daily reminder…go get your moles checked yearly," wrote Evans.
She is now waiting to learn if the spot is cancer and has yet to update her followers on the results.
Examining Your Skin for Melanoma: Remember ABCDE
Jenelle Evans did not think anything of the mole on het leg.
She says she will now be better at checking for concerning moles because she knows that finding skin cancer early can save a person’s life.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends looking at your skin once a month for anything suspiciousand using the acronym ABCDE as a checklist:
Asymmetrical moles: if you drew a line straight down the center of the mole, would the sides match?
Borders: irregular, jagged, not smooth; can also stand for bleeding
Colors: multiple distinct colors in the mole
Diameter: larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil head eraser
Evolution: This may be the most important thing that changes over time, such as gaining color, losing color, pain, itching, hurting, changing shape, etc.
Checking for Signs of Melanoma
Who Is A High Risk For Skin Cancer
There are a variety of different hereditary risk factors that can determine your risk of skin cancer, and some people are at a higher risk than others.
Some people are more at risk for melanoma than others. If you are fair-skinned, have blond hair and blue eyes, a family history of skin cancer and/or have many moles all over your body, you are at higher risk than most.
If any of this applies to you, it's even more important that you see your dermatologist regularly as well as do your own skin checks. It can help you determine your risk level so you can take measures to reduce your non-hereditary risk.
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