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• Check Your Skin: Skin Spots to Watch

Check Your Skin: Skin Spots to Watch

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Melanoma

• The most deadly form of skin cancer. If untreated can spread to other parts of the body.
• Appears as a new spot or an existing spot that changes colour, size or shape.
• Has an uneven, smudgy outline and will be an irregular mix of colours.
• Can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun.

Nodular melanoma

• Develops quickly – early treatment is important to prevent spread to other parts of the body.
• Looks different from common melanomas – raised from the start and even in colour.
• Many are red or pink and some are brown or black.
• Firm to touch and dome-shaped.
• After a while begins to bleed and crust.

Squamous cell carcinoma

• Not as dangerous. A thickened, red scaly spot that may bleed easily, crust or ulcerate.
• Appears on skin most often exposed to the sun.
• Grows over some months,
• More likely to occur in people over 50.

Basal cell carcinoma

• Most common and least dangerous form of skin cancer.
• Red, pale or pearly in colour, appears as a lump or dry, scaly area.
• May ulcerate or fail to completely heal.
• Grows slowly, usually on the head, neck and upper torso.

Solar keratoses or sunspot

• A warning sign you are prone to sun damage and skin cancer.
• Red, flattish scaling dry skin that may sting if scratched.
• Appears on areas of skin most often exposed to the sun, like hands and face.
• Most common in people over 40.

Protect yourself and reduce your skin cancer risk
Take these five steps to protect yourself from the sun when the SunSmart UV Alert indicates the UV Index is 3 or above:

• Slip on some sun-protective clothing – covering as much skin as possible.
• Slop on SPF30+ sunscreen – make sure it is broad spectrum and water resistant. Put it on 20 minutes before you go outdoors and every two hours afterwards. 
• Slap on a hat – that protects your face, head, neck and ears.
• Seek shade. 
• Slide on some sunglasses – make sure they meet Australian Standards.

Take extra care between 10am to 3pm when UV Index levels reach their peak.

For more information on skin cancer and sun protection, visit The Cancer Council Australia website at www.cancer.org.au/sunsmart or call The Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 (local call cost anywhere in Australia).

From HealthSmart Magazine