Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Anyone can develop skin cancer, although people with fair complexions tend to be more susceptible to specific types of skin cancer and precancerous conditions than women with darker skin tones. In addition to fair skin and light hair, risk factors for skin cancer include:
exposure to toxic materials, such as arsenic and coal
industrial x-ray exposure
scarring from diseases or burns
family history of the disease
a tendency to freckle or burn easily
lots of sun exposure throughout your life
sunburns as a child or adolescent
Skin cancer and precancerous skin changes are easy to recognize and are almost always curable when detected and treated in early stages. The first step in detecting skin cancer is examining your skin frequently for any suspicious changes - spending just 15 minutes a month doing this could save your life! Don't wait for bleeding as a warning sign. Look for changes in colour, size, and surface of a mole. Sores that won't heal may also indicate skin cancerous or precancerous conditions that need attention.
The earliest warning sign of severe skin damage is the development of actinic keratoses. These precancerous lesions affect approximately one in six people. They are most common in people with fair skin and light hair, but can occur in any skin type with chronic sun exposure. These lesions appear as crusty bumps that may itch or feel tender on the backs of the hands, or on the face, ears, neck, lips, and forearms. Usually more prevalent in older people, this precancer is appearing more frequently in people between the ages of 20 and 40.