Melanocytes manufacture pigments used to tan. Tanning makes you less susceptible to skin cancer. That is why blacks rarely get skin cancer. When they do it is usually on their lips and under their fingernails. .
When to Seek Professional Help.
If you are informed on skin cancer you can do a great deal to help prevent it. Self-inspection of the skin and reporting any suspicious changes to a doctor is the best method of successful treatment of skin cancer. Even though most doctors can probably diagnose forms of skin cancer you should see a dermatologist. They specialize in skin and probably are of the most help in most cases. There are six signs that should help the patient know when to see a doctor. .
1. An ulcer of the skin that does not heal in six weeks.
2. A lump or growth that bleeds constantly .
3. A mole that has more than one color or has an irregular border.
4. A growth or mole that changes size or shape.
5. A growth that enlarges, especially one that is hard.
6. A mole that itches or is tender.
(See table 2).
3.
General Treatment.
Experienced doctors can immediately recognize, or at least suspect most types of skin cancer. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will ask you questions. Do you have any itch or pain? Is there bleeding? Has the problem been x-rayed or injured? Where you live, your amount of sun exposure, skin type and family history will all be taken into consideration also. .
The doctor will then proceed to record size, shape, color, and irregularities. He will also check to see if the lymph nodes are enlarged. If they are it is a good sign that the cancer has already spread. Then you will have to have your lymph nodes removed. .
The removal process will depend on the size of the lesion. Most cases the doctor will perform a biopsy, or removal of a small piece of skin. If the lesion is under one centimeter then it will be removed in its entirety, this is called excisional biopsy. If it is larger the piece of skin will then be studied under a microscope.