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There are a few different types of skin cancers. There is basal and squamous cell and the well known melanoma. Basal and squamous cell cancer are easier to treat successfully, while melanoma can be treated and the success rate depends upon the stage the cancer is in. by exposing yourself to the sun you will run the risk of obtaining skin cancer. Symptoms Change is the biggest warning sign of melanoma skin cancer. It does not matter if it is a mole, birthmark, or something else residing on the skin if the size changes, shape or color change, or a new growth on the skin occurs contact your doctor immediately. Remember the following ABCDE rule: • A stands for asymmetry meaning one half of your mole looks different then the other half • B stands for border irregularity meaning edges look blurred, notched, or ragged • C stands for color meaning pigmentation is not uniformed. This could be shades of black, brown, and tan in the mole. • D stands for diameter meaning mole is bigger then the eraser on a pencil • E stands for evolution meaning mole color has changed, itching or any tenderness If a mole that is already on the body experiences changes then melanoma could be present. The changes are as follows: • Flat mole raining or even thickening • Scaling, oozing, crusting, or bleeding on the surface • Any redness, any swelling, or new patches on the surrounding skin • Burning, tingling, or itching occurring • Pieces break off easily or if there is softening Treatment If melanoma is caught in the beginning stages then the treatment would be to surgical remove any affected skin and a little of normal skin. Depending upon what stage the cancer is in will determine the treatment needed. Treatments are as follows: • Surgery could be local excision, wide local excision, lymph node dissection, or sentinel lymph node biopsy • Chemotherapy • Radiation • Immunotherapy Coping The harmful UV rays are what cause skin cancer. Protect your skin from the radiation of the rays while doing self examinations. When talking with your doctor make sure and ask plenty of questions. You should know how far it has spread and how the doctor came to the conclusion. If talking about surgery, will that get everything or will there still be treatments needed. Find out about any side effects that you could experience. Make sure and find out about any scarring that might happen and if there is a way to help it not look so bad. The more information you can obtain on skin cancer the easier it will be for coping with. Talk with family members and discuss what you are going through so they are aware of the situation. In a situation like this it is usually family members or really close friends that help you succeed in fighting it while keeping your spirits high. If you feel you are falling into a depression mode contact the doctor immediately and get help. Find more information relating to Breast cancer, and breast cancer hospital here.
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