Sunlight is essential for us to produce vitamin D. But too much is harmful. Excessive exposure to sunlight can cause fatal skin problems, a representative example of this being ‘skin cancer’.
The sudden appearance could be ‘skin cancer’
Skin cancer is a generic term for the abnormal, ie malignant, overgrowth of cells that make up skin tissue. There are different types, and in Korea, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma are the most common.
The symptoms vary slightly depending on the type. First, basal cell carcinoma occurs mostly on the face and usually begins as a smooth, waxy clear nodule. Small black brown bumps like dots appear and then gradually grow larger. Squamous cell carcinoma occurs mainly on the face, lower lip and ears. Lesions appear in different forms such as ulcers and tubercles, and are characterized by being difficult to touch. Finally, malignant melanoma appears mainly in the form of black spots or nodules, and the main areas affected are the fingers and toes, the face, the back, and the shins.
As such, the symptoms of skin cancer vary depending on the type, but at first glance, it often resembles a mole. In many cases, early diagnosis is delayed due to an inability to differentiate between mole and skin cancer.
5 things you need to check to tell the difference between skin cancer and moles | Source: Getty Images Bank
‘ABCDE method of observation’ to differentiate between skin cancer and moles
The ABCDE method of observation includes items that can be easily identified with the naked eye, such as the shape, color and size of the lesion. If you have any of the following symptoms, it could be skin cancer and you should see a doctor for a diagnosis. In addition, since skin cancer lesions come in different forms, even if they do not match this, if skin cancer is suspected, a dermatologist should be consulted for a correct diagnosis.
– A (Asymmetry): Asymmetry
The dots are symmetrical from side to side in relation to the centre, but skin cancer has an asymmetrical shape because it grows unevenly.
– B (Irregularity Border): Irregular border
The point shows a smooth curved shape with no curved edges. If the edges are ragged and jagged, you may have skin cancer.
– C (Color variation): A variety of color shades
Unlike spots that show a uniform color tone, skin cancer appears in two or more shades and tones. In particular, if it is black, blue, red, or white, there is a high possibility of skin cancer.
– D (Diameter): 6mm or more in diameter
Normal points are no more than 6mm in diameter. If the diameter is greater than 6 mm, especially if a pattern of gradually increasing dots is seen, skin cancer may be suspected.
– E (Evolution): Change in color tone or size
If there is a change in the shape, size, or color of an existing mole or a new mole, a malignant change can be suspected. In particular, if symptoms such as itching, pain, burning, bleeding, or ulcers appear in the area where the mole is, skin cancer should be suspected.
