Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is preventable and treatable if recognized and treated early.
Types of skin cancer:
Who is at risk of skin cancer?
Skin cancer can affect anyone regardless of sex, age, or race.
The risk is higher for people who:
- have high levels of UV radiation exposure (e.g. outdoor workers),
- have a large number of moles,
- are white,
- have red or blond hair with light eyes,
- have had one or more blistering sunburns or regularly used tanning beds,
- have a family history of skin cancer, or
- take medications that make their skin more sensitive to the sun.
While melanoma is more common in those who are White, those who belong to racialized groups should also protect and monitor their skin for melanoma as it is often missed until it is farther progressed. In particular, racialized groups should watch for suspicious spots on the hands, soles of the feet or under the nails.
How do I check for skin cancer?
Finding skin cancer early is important as most skin cancers can be cured. Check your skin regularly and if there is something that concerns you, contact your health care provider.
Non-melanoma skin cancers can present in many ways including:
- sores,
- dry, flaky skin patches, or
- bumps that do not heal.
It is important to have any sores, lesions or spots on your skin that do not go away within four weeks checked out. Remember that skin cancer can occur anywhere, even on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, the armpits, or under nails.
Melanoma skin cancer can be identified by the ABCDE's of melanoma:
A - Asymmetry: The shape on one side is different from the other side.
B - Border: The border or visible edge is irregular, ragged, and imprecise.
C - Colour: There is a colour variation with brown, black, red, grey, or white within the mole.
D - Diameter: Mole is usually more than 6 mm although it can be less.
E - Evolution: Changes in colour, size, shape or symptoms such as itching, tenderness or bleeding.
See your family doctor if you notice any suspicious spots with one or more of these signs or if anything seems unusual to you.