Is It A Beauty Mark Or Skin Cancer?
Identify suspicious moles with this handy guide
Most adults have between 10 and 40 moles dotting their bodies. But determining the difference between an innocent, even Cindy Crawford–beautiful spot and a cancerous one isn't easy. Prevention advisor Mary Lupo, MD, a dermatologist in New Orleans, suggests scanning skin monthly and seeing a dermatologist if any markings have changed rapidly in the past year or fit these descriptions.
If it looks...Pink, flaky; usually on the face, hands, or arms; grows back rapidly
It could be...
Actinic KeratosisIn 20% of cases, these "precancers" lead to squamous cell carcinoma. Patients may mistake the scaly patches for eczema, says derm Ellen Marmur, MD.
Actinic KeratosisIn 20% of cases, these "precancers" lead to squamous cell carcinoma. Patients may mistake the scaly patches for eczema, says derm Ellen Marmur, MD.
If it looks...
Pink, shiny; typically on the head, neck, or ears
It could be...Basal Cell Carcinoma
The most common skin cancer rarely metastasizes, but growths on ears or lips risk spreading to the lymph nodes and then the lungs.
The most common skin cancer rarely metastasizes, but growths on ears or lips risk spreading to the lymph nodes and then the lungs.
If it looks...Red, flaky, raised; often on the head, neck, ears, lips, hands, or arms
It could be...Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The lesions tend to look like sores that won't heal. Those on lips and ears have a higher risk of metastasis, and in very rare cases, the cancer can be fatal.
The lesions tend to look like sores that won't heal. Those on lips and ears have a higher risk of metastasis, and in very rare cases, the cancer can be fatal.
If it looks...Red, flaky, raised; often on the head, neck, ears, lips, hands, or arms
It could be...Melanoma
This is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The growths are usually the size of a pencil eraser or larger. The uneven coloring on can include deep blue or red, dark brown, and black. For more on melanoma (and your questionable moles),
This is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The growths are usually the size of a pencil eraser or larger. The uneven coloring on can include deep blue or red, dark brown, and black. For more on melanoma (and your questionable moles),
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