Dr. Michelle Henry, a dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, emphasizes the importance of regular skin checks to catch skin cancer early. She shares her own approach to monitoring her skin and the warning signs she looks out for.
Warning Signs of Skin Cancer
Dr. Henry looks for the ABCDEs of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving. She also checks for new moles, especially after the age of 40, and pays attention to any changes in the size, shape, or color of existing moles.
In addition to moles, Dr. Henry checks for other signs of skin cancer, such as a pearly bump, which can be a sign of basal cell carcinoma, or a scaly patch, which can indicate squamous cell carcinoma. She also checks her nails for signs of acral lentiginous melanoma, which can grow on the extremities.
Dr. Henry stresses the importance of protecting oneself from the sun, using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. She also recommends regular eye exams to reveal ocular melanoma and gynecologist checks to discover vaginal melanoma.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
