Signs & Symptoms of Skin Cancer - The ABCDE Rule!

It’s no secret that too much fun in the sun can sometimes have some pretty serious consequences. With beach weather upon us, and summer camp trips on the horizon, it’s important to not only protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays, but to be able to keep an eye out for potential signs and symptoms of skin cancer. To help you stay informed, here are a few things you should know in order to accurately identify potentially dangerous abnormalities on the skin:

As a general rule, you’ll want to keep an eye out for odd-looking moles, sores, lumps, or blemishes on the skin’s surface. However, in order to identify anything unusual, you first have to know what a normal, healthy mole looks like. A normal mole is typically about a quarter of an inch in diameter, can be flat or raised and is brown, tan or black in color. Whether present at birth, or developed over one’s lifetime, once a mole has developed it should stay the same size, shape and color, but can potentially fade away as well.

Now that you’ve got a handle on what a healthy mole will look like you will be able to identify any abnormalities more easily. Let's take a look at the ABCDE rule, a guide used by the American Cancer Society to identify signs of melanoma.

• Asymmetry: Is the birthmark or mole symmetrical all the way around, or does one half not match the other?
• Border: Take a look at the edges of your mole or birthmark. Are they smooth or are they irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred?
• Color: A healthy mole will have similar coloring throughout. Do you notice that coloring is not the same all over, including shades of brown or black, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue?
• Diameter: How large is your birthmark? Since a normal birthmark is about ¼ of an inch in diameter, you’ll want to check out any moles that are larger or smaller than the norm.
• Evolving: Has your mole changed in size, shape, or color? This can be an indicator that there may be something malignant present.

If you recognize abnormalities and think that you may be showing symptoms of skin cancer or melanoma, alert your doctor right away!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat melanoma and other skin cancers with sentinel node techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need skin surgery, or have already been diagnosed with melanoma, our surgeons can help. Call 631-321-6801 to schedule your consultation today.

How to Protect Your Skin This Summer!

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, each year in the US, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer. With summer in full swing and beach season here at least, it’s very important to make sure that you’re exercising caution when exposing your skin to the sun. Here are a few tips to keep your skin healthy and happy this summer:

1. Exfoliate and Hydrate - Exfoliating your skin daily will remove dead skin cells and debris, which will help keep your skin clear of congestion and blemishes. It will also allow for sunblock and cosmetic applications to last longer. Make sure to apply moisturizer after exfoliating to keep your skin hydrated and drink plenty of water daily, especially on days where you’re exposed to heavy sunlight. Warm weather can dehydrate your body faster than usual, causing dried out skin, headaches and dizziness.

2. Apply and Re-apply - Sunblock and SPF products are your best friend in the summer. Whether you’re a person who has sensitive skin that tends to burn, or can achieve a beach bronze complexion, some degree of SPF is absolutely necessary. As a general rule, you should apply a teaspoon of sunblock to your face, and enough to fill a shot glass to your body every two hours. There are a wide variety of sun protection products to choose from for any skin type and skin sensitivity, so get out there and get some!

3. Soothe and Repair - Sometimes no matter how much protection you apply, a sunburn is still inevitable. The first step to dealing with the after effects of sun damage is soothing your skin. Lathering up with aloe or cooling gel can reduce redness and irritation, and help to prevent peeling. Sun damage leads to brown spots, coarse skin and wrinkles, in addition to increasing your risk for developing skin cancer. Using a ton of moisturizer and age-fighting products can help to repair your damaged skin. Remember to visit your dermatologist regularly to look out for abnormalities and keep an eye out for melanoma.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat melanoma and other skin cancers with sentinel node techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need skin surgery, or have already been diagnosed with melanoma, our surgeons can help. Call 631-321-6801 to schedule your consultation today.