Here are three early warning signs of skin ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ.
A health expert has revealed three little-known changes in your body that could be signs of skin ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ.
According to ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ Research UK, around 156,000 people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ each year, while a further 17,500 are diagnosed with melanoma.
It is also reported that about 86% of melanomas are preventable and health experts recommend that people learn about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) exposure to minimize their risk.
When it comes to ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ treatment, doctors stress the importance of early intervention and treatment. A spokesperson for Usay Compare recently told The Mirror: “Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and prevent skin ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ from progressing to an advanced stage.”
Here are three changes in your body that you should pay attention to:
3 signs of skin ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ on lips and nails
Colorless mole
Moles are one of the most well-known warning signs of skin ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ, with the general rule used to identify worrisome moles on the skin being ABCDE – asymmetry, border, colour, diameter and progression.
When it comes to ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀᴏᴜs moles, most people think of moles that are black or dark brown and look fierce, but colorless moles can also be worrisome.
A colourless mole can be a warning sign of early-stage melanoma, which means you need to keep an eye on any new moles and see your GP if you are concerned.
Chapped lips
Most of us suffer from chapped lips from time to time, especially during the winter months.
However, if you have persistent dry lips that don’t improve with moisturizing, it could be a sign of a ᴘʀᴇᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀᴏᴜs condition called actinic cheilitis.
Chapped lips are accompanied by other worrisome symptoms such as pigmentation changes and persistent sores.
Actinic cheilitis (AC) is caused by long-term exposure to UV rays. Although AC is not ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀᴏᴜs, the condition can often turn malignant, leading to squamous cell carcinoma.
Discolored nails
Changes and discoloration in the nails are another warning sign of some skin ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀs, especially melanoma.
The most alarming change in your nails that you need to look out for is the sudden appearance of a dark streak or line running down the nail from the base to the tip.
These lines are known scientifically as melanonychia and can be a warning sign of melanoma.
Other warning signs to look for in nails include changes in color, texture, uneven pigmentation, and cracks, peeling, or deformation of the nails.
While these symptoms can be warning signs of ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ, it’s important to remember that this isn’t always the case and – when in doubt – you should see a healthcare professional for a check-up.