Don’t Wait For Cancer To Strike; Make Sure You Do A Periodic Skin Cancer Check (Adelaide)

If you love spending time out under the sun, then it’s best that you do a home skin cancer check.
Adelaide residents, like many other Australians, get their fair share of sun during the summer months. Whether it’s spent tanning at the beach, playing golf, or surfing the waves, it’s a good idea to check your skin for signs that could lead to skin cancer. Here are some simple steps you should know for an easy home self-check, as early detection is the best way to keep the cancer from spreading.

Doing the exam

A simple home skin cancer check begins with you standing in front of a full-length mirror and having a handy small mirror as well. What you want to do is give yourself a once over, going up and down your body. Make a note of any freckles, blemishes or moles that exist. Follow this up by checking out your legs (including the backside), thighs and feet.

Use the hand mirror to look at those hard to reach places. You will also want to check out prominent sun-exposed areas like your lower and upper back, plus your scalp. Note the markings on your skin so you can compare this to future check -ups.

Look out for these signs

Cancerous cells that are most commonly found on the neck, head, arms, hands and face are called Basal and Squamous cancer cells.

Basal cancer cells have two distinctions. They can either look flat and firm, with small pale areas or they can be raised. These cells are a shiny pinkish red colour, with a tendency to bleed. They may also have blood vessels that have abnormal discolouration either in blue, brown or black. You might also find enlarged basal cells that have unusual crusted areas.

Squamous cancer cells are more distinguished because they look like growing lumps.  Just like a basal cancer cell, this has two possible appearances as well. One can be rough, scaly or crusted while the other may look reddish and flat.

Skin cancer cells start out the same and they then slowly evolve to either one of the two. It’s best that you always do a periodic skin cancer check. Adelaide, like most Australian cities, is known to get its fair share of sun throughout the year which is why its residents who enjoy spending time under the sun should take proper skin care measures. Contact our preferred supplier.

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