Most skin cancer patients will not know they have the health condition until it is late, making treatment almost impossible. Anyone might get Chevy Chase basal cell carcinoma, and understanding your skin is key to early detection and better treatment. Although you might have moles or other anomalies, the changes in the mole’s size, color, and position might indicate underlying issues like cancer. However, not all changes show skin cancer. You might need to undergo a biopsy which gives conclusive results. Here are ways to detect basal cell carcinoma early.

Know Your Skin

You can detect skin cancer early if you know your skin. You might examine your skin once every month using a full-length mirror that shows every part of the skin. You might opt to use another mirror on the back, which reflects your image on the front mirror, thus showing the skin at the back. You may use a flashlight to see the hard-to-see areas like the thighs, as moles might grow on the skin in the area. Sometimes you can let your loved one inspect the skin, especially if you don’t have a full-length mirror.

See a Cancer Doctor

Although you will notice changes in the skin moles and other anomalies, you can be certain that the skin issues are attributed to cancer when you visit a cancer doctor. They will examine the skin physically and note any changing moles, and if they suspect it is cancer, they will recommend a biopsy to examine the cells. Sometimes, they might think the issue is a minor skin change that is not cancerous. If the skin condition looks non-cancerous, they may still advise you to note any changes and get a physical examination every month and eventually get a cancer exam to eliminate the doubts,

The Symptoms of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer will not be bothersome unless it is in the late developmental stages. Thus you might not know if you have cancer immediately. However, you should look for flat, firm, and yellow growths resembling scars. These growths will occur on the skin even when you have not had any injury. You might have raised reddish patches which are itchy and cause discomfort. Some people develop pink growths with raised edges and lower centers and abnormal blood vessels spreading like wheel spokes. If you have a normal mole, the mole will start to notice changes in color and size of the mole. In the late stages, skin cancer causes open sores, which are hard to treat, making it necessary for the patient to undergo chemotherapy. These cancers are fragile and will bleed after shaving and minor injuries.

Skin cancer is hard to notice, but early diagnosis leads to better treatment of the health concern. You should take the initiative in cancer detection, especially if a closely related family has had cancer. First, you will inspect the skin every month using a full-length mirror or with the help of a loved one. Then visit a skin cancer facility for proper diagnosis and undergo a biopsy. You should know about the basal cell carcinoma symptoms, such as changing moles, and open sores, to treat the health concern effectively.