Skin cancer affects how your skin cells develop and can cause them to grow abnormally and then lead to serious complications. It's why regular self-examinations are important, and to know what to look for dermatologists have developed an easy-to-follow acronym, ABCDE, which stands for asymmetry, borders, color, diameter, and evolving, which will be explained below. While the signs listed below are not clear indications of cancer, self-examination is simply the first step and you should have any concerning moles examined by your dermatologist. You can learn more about all the ways you can prevent skin cancer by contacting your Toms River, NJ, dermatologist Dr. Robert Lee of Premier Dermatology Clinic.
Asymmetry
Potentially cancerous growths and moles typically do not have symmetry to them, that is, one side of it will usually not mirror the other.
Borders
Another sign to look for is how the edges of the mole look, if they are jagged or blurred, or irregular in appearance then that's a sign to seek help.
Color
Moles are usually uniformly colored, so the ones to take note of are those that vary in pigmentation, or, in other words, those that have more than one color.
Diameter
Yet another aspect to examine is the size of the growth, generally speaking, you should see your doctor if it's larger than a 1/4" or 6mm. A good point of reference to use is to think of the width of a pencil eraser if those numbers don't immediately translate.
Evolving
The last thing to note is perhaps the most important because it requires that you practice regular self-examinations, and that is change. Keep a close watch on the changes of any moles or growths and note if either their shape, borders, pigment and size are evolving.
Skin Cancer in Toms River, NJ
Beyond self-examinations, regular checkups by your Toms River, NJ, dermatologist are essential to prevent skin cancer and to treat it as early as possible to increase chances of success. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee of Premier Dermatology Clinic by dialing (732) 934-4141.