A little known side effect with a huge impact
Screening For Skin Cancer: Who Is At Risk?
There are three major kinds of skin cancer—squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous. The first sign of melanoma is a change in an existing mole or a new, unusual-looking growth on the skin. Characteristics of a mole that may indicate melanoma are:
There are several different types of melanoma. The most common type is caused by sun exposure, so be sure to wear protective clothing and sunscreen of at least 30 SPF year-round. Avoid intense sun during the middle of the day as well as tanning and tanning beds. People who sunburn easily are especially at risk.
There's a big misconception that the only place to look for melanoma is in sun-exposed areas such as the arms, legs, back and face. That is certainly the case for the majority of melanoma, but a small number of melanomas can occur without sun exposure at all. These appear underneath the toenails, fingernails, feet, toes and palms.
In general, people with a personal history of melanoma, family history of melanoma and individuals over the age of 60 to 65—particularly people with light-colored hair and light-eye color—are likely to benefit from an annual skin exam.
For some, screening should take place more frequently. People without any of those risk factors may not need a screening exam on an annual basis, but it is important to check the skin regularly and contact a health care team about any changes to existing moles. Keep in mind that not all changes are caused by skin cancer.
During screening, the patient will undress and be covered in a robe to examine their skin entirely. Physicians use a dermatoscope, a light magnifier that helps to look into the first layer of the skin surface. This gives a good idea of whether a spot is concerning or not.
If a skin cancer is identified, the patient will often have either an excision or Mohs surgery. An excision has predefined safety edges (margins) to ensure the entire skin cancer is removed. During Mohs surgery, a very small amount of skin around the edge of the spot will be removed. The patient is checked under a microscope during the procedure to ensure it is all taken.
This procedure allows for the smallest scar and smallest area to be removed while ensuring the entire area of concern is eliminated. Mohs surgery is often used on the face, scalp and neck.
Nowadays, there are multiple skincare screening apps out there. These apps either help track moles over time to identify if they're changing or photograph an individual spot on the skin that's causing concern. Apps that use artificial intelligence are still in their infancy. In the future, this technology will likely be beneficial.
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The Symptoms On Your Skin That Could Be Red-flag Signs Of Life-threatening Disease
Skin cancer demands an awareness of key symptoms for early detection. Sun exposure heightens risk, especially on the most exposed parts of the skin, reinforcing the importance of vigilant skin checks after spending time outside.
Self-detection stands as the swiftest path to diagnosing skin cancer, with knowledge of its possible appearance is essential. Despite the challenge of recognizing signs without certainty on what to look out for, Dr Susan Mayou, a consultant dermatologist at Cadogan Clinic, has illuminated some concerning facial indicators.
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AsymmetryThe dermatologist noted this could be a primary sign of skin cancer.
She said: "This is when one half of the spot doesn't match the other half."
Misshapen bordersA skin spot showcasing uneven borders is another potential indicator of skin cancer.
Dr Mayou told The Sun: "Borders that are irregular, scalloped or poorly defined are another concern."
(Image: (Image: Getty))Common Sign Of Liver Cancer Is Spotted When You Look At Person's Eyes
Liver cancer is an uncommon type of cancer that is serious and can be life-threatening, and while the exact cause is unknown, there are certain symptoms to look out for
An early sign could appear in your eyes (Image: Getty Images)
A subtle change in your eyes could be a warning sign of liver cancer.
Primary liver cancer is a rare but serious type of cancer, according to the NHS. This differs from secondary liver cancer, which starts elsewhere in the body before spreading to the liver. Symptoms of primary liver cancer often don't show until the disease has advanced, making early detection crucial.
According to NHS Inform, one of the most common signs of liver cancer is jaundice, where the whites of your eyes start to turn yellow. This can also cause your skin to look yellow, although this may not be as noticeable on certain skin types.
Other symptoms of liver cancer include:
The NHS advises seeing your GP as soon as you notice any of these symptoms. While they could indicate a "more common condition", it's always best to get checked out - catching cancer early could save your life. The NHS added: "You should also contact your GP if you have previously been diagnosed with a condition known to affect the liver, such as cirrhosis or a hepatitis C infection, and your health suddenly deteriorates."
While the definitive causes of liver cancer remain a mystery, most cases are linked to cirrhosis scarring and damage of the liver. Often this is due to chronic alcohol abuse or enduring hepatitis B or C infections. It's also suspected that being overweight and a poor diet may elevate liver cancer risks by leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
For those looking to lessen their chances, the NHS recommends reducing alcohol intake and sticking to a nutritious, balanced diet complemented by regular physical activity. When it comes to treatment, early detection can be key to potentially eradicating liver cancer entirely. Options may include surgical resection or even a liver transplant.
An NHS Inform page states: "However, only a small proportion of liver cancers are diagnosed at a stage where these treatments are suitable. Most people are diagnosed when the cancer has spread too far to be removed or completely destroyed. In these cases, treatments such as chemotherapy will be used to slow down the spread of the cancer and relieve symptoms such as pain and discomfort."
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