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Doctors Reveal the Number-1 Sign of Skin CancerBrothers91 – Getty Images<\/p>\n
There are few things we love more than the feel of the hot sun warming our faces, except remembering to slather on sunscreen before heading out into that cloudless day. But even if you\u2019re doing your best to keep your skin healthy, from eating foods for better skin health<\/a> to following the best skincare tips for every age<\/a>, knowing the number-one sign of skin cancer can ensure that you book an appointment with a dermatologist early enough to avoid potentially serious outcomes.<\/p>\n Meet the experts: Adam Friedman,<\/a>M.D., a professor of dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences; Michael Christopher, M.D.<\/a>, a dermatologist with Ironwood Dermatology & Aesthetics in Tucson.<\/p>\n There are three types of skin cancer<\/a> that are diagnosed most often: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. \u201cNon-melanoma skin cancers, like basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas, are what we call skin-derived cancers, not mole-derived,\u201d Adam Friedman,<\/a>M.D., a professor of dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, previously explained. That means that they appear not as moles, but as other unusual skin changes such as sores, bumps, or irritated patches. \u201cBasal and squamous cell carcinomas are highly treatable if detected early,\u201d says Michael Christopher, M.D.<\/a>, a dermatologist with Ironwood Dermatology & Aesthetics in Tucson. \u201cAlthough melanoma is less common, it is the most significant of the three, because it has an increased ability to spread and potentially lead to death.\u201d<\/p>\n Even though they present differently, Dr. Christopher says that the top sign that should prompt a call to your doctor is the same for every type of skin cancer. \u201cThe number-one sign is change. Change in a spot that has been present on your skin, such as a mole that is growing, bleeding, itching, tender, painful, or not healing is important and something as a dermatologist, I would want to know about,\u201d Dr. Christopher says. \u201cChange also means paying attention to your skin for new spots. If you develop new spots on your skin, this should prompt evaluation by your doctor or dermatologist.\u201d<\/p>\n