At-home skin cancer test helps you check concerning moles or patches
22.08.2022 - 20:53
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Skin cancer affects as many as 16,000 people in the UK each year, which is why it is important to know potential warning signs.
Melanoma - a form of skin cancer - is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Often skin cancers are caused by excessive exposure to sunlight or by artificial sources of UV radiation - typically from sunbeds.
Another risk factor is family history, as Cancer Research UK points out that melanoma skin cancer risk is around doubled in people with a family history of the same disease. The charity and research organisation adds that inherited risk accounts for around 10 percent of melanoma skin cancer cases
While family history may contribute, the condition can impact anyone which is why people should know symptoms as well as how to test moles and skin patches. The Mirror reports that around one in four skin cancer cases are diagnosed among people aged under 50, which is an unusually young age for a cancer diagnosis.
With that in mind, here are symptoms, an easy-to-remember alphabet test to check yourself for skin cancer, and other possible warning signs to look out for.
When it comes to spotting melanoma, often spotting a new mole or a mole that has changed in appearance could be major indicators.
Round or oval moles are normal, with smooth edges and usually no bigger than 6mm in diameter.
However, the size of the mole is not what you should be looking out for.
According to the NHS, the ABCDE check will help you determine if your mole may be cancerous.
This is:
Other early cancer symptoms to spot include:
It’s important to show your doctor any areas on the body that you are concerned about.
Often it is difficult to tell the difference between an ordinary mole or melanoma.
“Remember, too, that a small