Sun Exposure – Skin Cancer

• A small raised bump that looks smooth, shiny, and translucent.
• A small, pink, crater-like growth with a raised, rolled border and an indentation in the center.
• A scar-like area that is white, yellow, or waxy.
• Reddish, irritated patches of skin.
• A sore that does not heal.
• Can usually be removed by excision or topical treatments.
• If diagnosed and treated early, basal cell cancers can be cured.

• Crusty, warty appearance.
• A raised growth with a depression in the center.
• Scaly, red patch area.
• A sore that does not heal.
• Can usually be removed by excision or topical treatments.
• If diagnosed and treated early, squamous cell cancers can be cured.

Changes in the size, shape, or color of moles.

• Dark mole-like appearance.
• Flat or slightly elevated discolored patch (tan, brown, red, black, blue, or white).
• Change on the skin:
• New spot developing.
• Change in size, color, or shape of existing spot or mole.
• Malignant melanoma carries significant, even fatal implications.
• Incidence of melanoma has been steadily rising, affecting people of all ages.

In particular, watch for:

• Irregular borders on moles (ragged, notched, or blurred edges).
• Moles that are not symmetrical (one half doesn’t match the other).
• Colors that are not uniform throughout.
• Moles that are bigger than a pencil eraser.
• Sores that bleed and do not heal.
• Itchy or painful moles.
• Red patches or lumps.
• New moles.