All of us know someone who has been touched by cancer in some way, whether it is skin cancer or another type. Skin cancer, while normally not considered to be as serious as other types, can still be a chronic disease. However, if skin cancer is caught in the early stages, as when a individual notices changes in the moles that they have on their body, then it can possibly be cured. This is why it is so important to watch for any changes that may be occurring that would lead you to believe that you may have skin cancer, such as skin tags and changes in the moles, especially if you believe they are cancer moles.

Cancer moles can be identified by using what is called the ABCD method. The letters stand for the symptoms of the disease and can be used to pinpoint when medical attention needs to be sought. It is important to remember that if you suspect that you may have skin cancer, then the earlier that it is caught, the better. This can mean looking for any changes in the moles that you may have and also being aware of what those changes could be.

The first letter A stands for ‘asymmetry.’ Normally, a mole is round and symmetrical in shape. It is often when the mole begins to grow that it looks a little skewed or asymmetric. Always visit your doctor and let them know if you observe a change in the skin moles. The second letter B stands for ‘border.’ If the border of your moles looks jagged or irregular, instead of definite and strong, then this could be a sign of cancer. The letter C indicates another important aspect, ‘color.’ Unlike warts or other skin blemishes, these moles change in color suddenly, leaving you quite surprised. Lastly, the letter D stands for ‘diameter.’ Most cancerous moles will grow in size; hence, an increasingly larger diameter could alert you to see your physician.

There are two categories of people who are likely to fall prey to this type of cancer: those with fair (white) skin; those who work for long hours in the sun; those with a family history of cancer (heredity). If you fall into any one of these brackets, then keep a close watch on the cancer moles so you will have the best odds, when and if you discover you suffer from skin cancer moles.

Tags: Cancer, moles, skin cancer, the moles