| Millions of people are affected by skin cancer. | | | | symptom of skin cancer that you may encounter. |
| Each year the number of skin cancer cases | | | | For instance, the first time you see any oddity on |
| increases, highlighting the need for an effective | | | | your skin -- such as the appearance of a splotch |
| way to manage both the symptoms and the | | | | on the skin or a discoloration or change in a mole |
| treatment. Fortunately, there is an easy way to | | | | -- make a note in a journal. Then on a weekly |
| keep tabs on this disease. | | | | basis keep track of any changes in size, shape or |
| First, understand that there are three types of | | | | color. |
| skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell | | | | Having an ongoing journal gives you an objective |
| carcinoma, and melanoma. Each one can be | | | | and precise history of when and how conditions |
| treated if detected early enough. Both the | | | | on your skin have developed. This will be |
| squamous cell carcinoma and the insidious | | | | invaluable when you consult a doctor or |
| melanoma can spread to other parts of the body. | | | | dermatologist. Then, be sure to make an |
| Once skin cancer spreads, it is much more difficult | | | | appointment with a doctor or dermatologist and |
| to treat, so early detection is vital. | | | | get it checked out. Skin cancer is not one of |
| Second, recognize the most common causes of | | | | those things that will go away on its own. It |
| skin cancer: heredity (if there is a history of skin | | | | starts out with the greatest likelihood of being |
| cancer in your family, your chances of contracting | | | | treatable. As time goes by, it gets less and less |
| it are higher than normal), damage to DNA, | | | | easy to treat it. Delaying the consultation with |
| exposure to ultraviolet rays, over-exposure to | | | | your doctor could cost you your life! |
| sunlight, and exposure to certain deadly chemicals. | | | | Once a course of treatment has been prescribed |
| If any of these causes sound like they might | | | | for you, keep another journal in which you |
| apply in your case, pay close attention to the skin | | | | describe the results. Have the symptoms gone |
| cancer symptoms described next. | | | | away? Are they better? Worse? If a mole was |
| Third, be aware of the common symptoms of | | | | removed, have other similar moles appeared? |
| skin cancer: skin discoloration, blotches and | | | | Have any other skin discolorations become |
| patches on the skin, irritation and redness. | | | | evident? |
| Melanoma occurs in moles on your body. The | | | | If you are taking medication, keep a record of |
| mole may change color or size, and may start | | | | what you take and when. Is it helping the |
| bleeding. Be very watchful for any of these sorts | | | | symptoms? Are there any side effects? Keep |
| of changes. | | | | track of when side effects occur and how severe |
| Fourth, consider the standard and alternative | | | | they are. Having this information handy will help |
| treatment options that are available to treat skin | | | | your doctor prescribe the treatment that best |
| cancer. Most melanomas need to be surgically | | | | addresses your overall health. |
| removed. However other skin cancers may be | | | | Setting up journals like the ones described here is |
| treated by removing affected and surrounding | | | | easy to do. You can use a paper worksheet, a |
| tissue. Radiation therapy and cryotherapy may | | | | computer word processing program, or even a |
| also be available if the cancer is low risk and | | | | spreadsheet program like Excel. |
| treated early. In cases where cancer has already | | | | You owe it to yourself to take an active role in |
| spread and metastasized, then surgery and/or | | | | managing your own health. Skin cancer is a |
| chemotherapy may be required. | | | | serious disease, and you need to use every tool |
| So, how do you stack the odds in your favor? By | | | | at your disposal to make sure you get the best |
| managing your symptoms and treatment results | | | | health care possible. |
| carefully and systematically. Keep a journal of any | | | | |