See your doctor first
If you are at all concerned about a mole on your skin your first port of call should always be your doctor. They may then refer you to a dermatologist who will take a good look at all of your moles and may even take photos for themselves so they can see any changes before your next appointment. They will do this with any moles that look suspicious or those they may have concerns about – whether they suspect cancer or not.
You may ask yourself why they would use early skin cancer pictures in their work? Well, early detection is one of the most important tools any specialist has when it comes to the prevention of skin cancer. Dermatologists like to see if moles have altered over the weeks and months and use this information to work out if the mole may have spread or grown.
What early skin cancer pictures can look for
One of the main signs of skin cancer is changes in the size, shape or color of the moles on your skin. Along with changes in the texture, oozing or itching these are all signs that can be important in detecting skin cancer. So there really is no reason why you can’t take control of your skin health and take pictures of your own moles and keep an eye on them over time.
Why take early skin cancer pictures
There are apps you can use on your phone that will document your moles, the size, the shape, the color, and the location. Once you have spoken to your doctor and they have identified those moles you should keep an eye on you should take photos of each one and then once every few weeks compare that picture with your current mole. Also, take note of any additional moles in the area surrounding the ones you already have.
You can also compare your moles and skin marks with skin cancer pictures you find on the internet or in books. This may help you to work out what is normal and what is not – however you should never assume that because your mole looks like a normal one that it is. If you see any of these signs you should definitely see your doctor as soon as you can:
- A mole that is irregular in size or shape
- A mole with two or more colours
- A mole that has changed in size or shape
- A mole that is itchy or oozing
By taking a proactive approach and using your early skin cancer pictures you can ensure that you have the very best chance of avoiding your moles becoming cancerous and being detected at an early stage where it can be treated easily and quickly.
