Sunshine may give you a golden glow and boost your vitamin D – but it can also leave permanent, even deadly, damage.
Here’s what to watch out for when it comes to skin cancer and the more dangerous melanoma.
A shiny bump that doesn’t disappear
One of the earliest signs of common skin cancer is a firm, shiny bump that resembles a pimple or skin tag.
If it doesn’t heal or gets slowly bigger, it could be something more serious than just a skin irritation.
A sore that won’t heal
Any wound or lesion that lingers, crusts, bleeds, or doesn’t fully heal after weeks may be a sign of skin cancer – either a non-melanoma type or melanoma.
Don’t wait for it to disappear on its own.
Changes in a mole
If a mole begins to change in size, color, or shape, or becomes lopsided or itchy, this could indicate melanoma.
Always consult a doctor for any suspicious changes in your skin’s spots.
A red, scaly patch
A patch of skin that turns red, becomes scaly or rough, and maybe even bleeds, could be a sign of common skin cancer.
It might resemble eczema, but it won’t go away – and it needs medical attention.
A lump that keeps growing
A growing lump, even if it’s not painful, can signal something more dangerous than it appears.
Non-melanoma skin cancers often start as slow-growing lumps that become more noticeable over time.
Sudden itching or bleeding
When a mole or skin lesion begins to itch, bleed, or ooze without injury, it’s a red flag. These signs may indicate that cancerous cells are active and spreading.
A rapidly spreading mole
Melanoma is notorious for its ability to spread quickly to other parts of the body. If a mole grows noticeably within a short time, get it checked immediately.
High risk of death with melanoma
While many cases of common skin cancer are treatable, melanoma is far more deadly.
Breakthrough treatment gives new hope
Researchers have made great strides with T-cell therapy, which has made 20 % of patients with advanced melanoma completely cancer-free.
Half of the participants saw their cancer’s spread reduced by half.
T-cell therapy uses your own immune system
This innovative treatment harvests immune cells directly from the tumor, grows them into billions, and reinserts them to fight the cancer.
It’s an advanced, personalized approach showing impressive results.
This article is based on information from iForm.dk.