My original P. PT.

1. SKIN CANCER

2. What is Skin Cancer?
 Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers.
 More than one million cases of skin cancer occur in the
United States each year.
 There are three types of skin cancer.

3.  1. BASAL CELL CARCINOMA: is the most common,
usually appearing on the face and ears.
 It is the easiest to detect and treat, and does not
usually metastasize. (spread)

4.  2. SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: is the second
most common type of skin cancer.
 It usually appears on sun-exposed parts of the body
and is potentially dangerous because it is more likely to
spread to areas beneath the skin.

5.  3. MELANOMA: is the least common, but most lethal
form of skin cancer.
 It is important to diagnose melanoma in its early
stages, since it is most likely to spread quickly to other
parts of the body.
 If detected early, melanoma can be treated and cured.
 70% of melanomas begin in or near a mole or other
dark spot on the skin.

6. THE FACTS
 1. 80% of life time exposure to the sun happens before
the age of 25.
 2. Skin cancer Melanoma is the leading cause of death
in women in their late 20’s.
 3. You have a 1 in 79 chance of getting melanoma
 4. A 1 in 5 chance of getting some type of skin cancer.
 5. Use SPF 45 or higher to protect your skin.
 Consider sunscreen as sun glasses for your skin.

7. DEFINITIONS
 BENIGN: non-cancerous.
 MALIGNANT: cancerous.

8. ABCDE’S OF SKIN CANCER
 ASYMMETRY: moles round = no problem, irregular in
shape could be a problem.
 BORDER: benign moles have smooth, even borders.
Melanoma lesions often have uneven borders.
 COLOR: benign moles are usually a single shade of
brown. Melanoma lesions often contain many shades
of brown or black.

9.  DIAMETER: benign moles are usually the size of a
pencil eraser. Melanoma lesions are usually larger in
diameter.
 EVOLVING: benign moles are usually flat and do not
change size over time. Melanoma lesions often grow in
size or change height rapidly.

10. HOW TO DO SELF-EXAM
 The best time to do this is after a bath or shower. Use a
full length mirror and hand mirror to check any moles,
blemishes, or birthmarks from the top of your head to
your toes, noticing any changes in size, shape, or color
or sore that does not heal.
 LOOK AT: body front and back, forearms, upper arms
and palms, backs of legs and feet and genital areas.
Also, back of neck and scalp, pulling back hair if
necessary.