One of the most disturbing facts about skin cancer is that it manifests in an array of forms. Moreover, developing this disease may not be immediately apparent, as some of the symptoms may appear to be harmless changes on your skin that you could chalk up to hormones, sunburn and so on. As a result, it is critical for everybody to have a routine exam from a qualified dermatologist, as they will be best placed to notice any abnormalities that you could easily overlook. A systematic examination by a dermatologist provides you with the opportunity to catch potential skin cancer early, and this could be the difference between life and death. So what are some of the irregularities that a dermatologist will look for during a skin cancer check?
Chronic sores on your body
While most people may assume that skin cancer will manifest as an obvious abscess on their body, the reality is that sometimes it can be as simple as a sore that is just not healing as it should. If you had already developed a sore on your skin, the cancer cells attacking your body will also stunt the healing process, as they affect cell regeneration. However, this can only be proven when studied under a microscope; that is why it is critical to have a dermatologist examine your skin for you. If you notice that you have a sore that seems never to go away, it should prompt you to visit a dermatologist and have additional tests done, such as checking your white blood cells, sugar levels and so on, to determine what is preventing the healing process from taking place.
Unusual moles on your body
Another red flag of possible cancerous growths on your skin is the development of atypical moles that were previously not there. When you notice a new mole on your body, it is essential to have a dermatologist physically inspect it so they can decide whether you need to have it tested for cancerous cells. Some of the things that the dermatologist will be checking for when examining the mole include the asymmetry of the growth, the colour of the mole and the diameter of the skin anomaly. It is also imperative for you to monitor any newly found mole-like growths on your body so you can determine whether they are evolving or remaining stagnant. Take note that moles that steadily change in appearance over time could be indicative of skin cancer.
