Is it skin cancer? 38 photos that could save your life (PICTURES)

Dermatologists take a close look at pigmented lesions like this one because in rare instances they turn out to be melanoma - the most dangerous kind of skin cancer. But the raised lesion shown here is actually a basal cell carcinoma.

/ skincancer.org

(CBS) What's the secret to avoiding skin cancer? There's no surefire strategy, but experts say it's vital to avoid tanning booths and to minimize your exposure to harsh sunlight (with sunscreen, wraparound sunglasses, protective clothing, etc.).

In addition, periodically checking your skin can help you spot skin cancer at its earliest stages - when treatment is most likely to be effective. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends monthly self-exams in which you check all of your skin, including between your fingers and toes, on your scalp, on your back and buttocks, etc.

Just what are you looking for? According to the American Melanoma Foundation, any mole or pigmented area that shows any of the four warning signs of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer:

• A is for asymmetry - half of the mole doesn't match the other half;
• B is for an irregular border - often notched uneven, or blurred;
• C is for varied color - shades of brown and black are present;
• D is for diameter - a mole that spans more than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser - is more likely to be a melanoma.

Even if you can recite the skin cancer ABCD's, it's helpful to be able to eyeball photos of the various forms skin cancers and "precancers" can take. Here's our quick-read photo guide.

38 photos that could save your life

skincancer.org

Actinic keratoses: These precancerous lesions (like the ones shown above on the back of a hand) can turn cancerous. They're common in older golfers and others who have spent a lot of time in sunlight.

skincancer.org

Basal cell carcinomas: This lesion might look like a hive or pimple, but it's actually a basal cell carcinoma. This form of skin cancer is considered less serious than others but should be removed anyway.

skincancer.org

Melanomas. The deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma (like the one shown above) is characterized by dark pigmentation, often with different shades of color, and irregular, asymmetric shapes.

Click below for the next 35 slides.

38 Photos

Is it skin cancer?

[Jerry2KD]

The trouble with pictures like these is that they always show relatively advanced stages of the diseases. If you had any of the signs pictured you'd you'd have to have rocks in your head not to see a doctor. Far more useful would be photos of the same diseases showing how they look when it's not already too late! What do pre-cancerous lesions look like, and when would it make sense to have a doctor examine them.

Will CBS News be the first to make what should be an obvious correction which would make this story hundreds of times more important to those of us who may be at risk.

Thanks!
JerryK2D

[sanjana12]

Skin Cancer Pictures

http://health-care-updates.blogspot.in/2012/10/skin-cancer-pictures.html

http://adtr.im/2tx

[sanjana12]

Skin Cancer Pictures

http://health-care-updates.blogspot.in/2012/10/skin-cancer-pictures.html

[SergioStagnaro]

Cancer, including skin cancer, can involve exclusively individuals positive to Oncological Terrain-Dependent, Inherited Real Risk, located in the precise site of a biological system - in this case, the skin - where cancer will occur during the lifecourse. Not all humans are created equal! Generalising primary prevention of skin cancer, brings about today's large epidemic of "Pschyological Jatrogenetic Terrorism", we are able to avoid now-a-days. So I hope.

[novargc]

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[rockyflatsgear]

Very informative, thank you. New airport scanners deliver a significant dose to skin and underlying tissue and will cause some number of skin cancer cases. Learn more:

http://www.rockyflatsgear.com/May-is-Melanoma-Skin-Cancer-Detection-and-Prevention-Month.html

[alinakapur]

Very horrible images. I also like to share some cancer images http://www.ecancerchemotherapy.com/melanoma-chemotherapy.html