A cosmetic surgeon has shared three signs that could indicate skin cancer – and also posted advice about how to prevent it.
Dr Somji, known as @drsomjiskincare on social media, strongly advises anyone who notices an unusual change in their skin to consult their doctor, regardless of whether they are concerned about it or not.
He stated: “Anything within your skin that changes needs to be looked at. You might get a lesion that might be a little bit different to everything else that you may have on your face. It may be slightly redder, it may be a little bit more scaly and dry. These are sometimes signs of early skin cancer.”
He mentioned that the lesion may bleed intermittently, which could suggest various types of skin cancer. He added: “They can be pigmented so you can get increased pigmentation. For example, a new mole within the area.”
He reminded his followers that skin cancer is not limited to the face and can appear anywhere on the body. He said: “You can even get it under your toe nails. Most people don’t know that Bob Marley actually died form a melanoma that was underneath his toenail.
“Even if you have got a darker skin tone, you need sun protection. It’s really important to report any concerns that you have with your skin with your dermatologist to ensure that you get it checked out so you’re safe. If you’ve got something on your skin, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got skin cancer.
“It’s just important to get checked out by a professional that knows what they’re doing to ensure you’ve got peace of mind.” Following his advice, numerous viewers in the comments section expressed gratitude for the information and many made commitments to schedule doctor’s appointments. One user wrote: “I have a dry scaly patch on my nose. I’m going to book an appointment.”
Another shared: “I’m so confused I’ve just had a mark come up on my throat, I thought it was a bruise but it’s still there and not changed days later.” And a third rejoiced: “My test results are out and I was confirmed negative – thank you.”
What is skin cancer
According to the NHS, “melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body. The main cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds.”
If you have pale skin, a large number of moles and a family history of skin cancer, your risk could be increased.
You can reduce your risk by being cautious in the sun and wearing suncream daily. It’s important to get symptoms of skin cancer checked as soon as possible. Diagnosing melanoma early can make it easier to treat.
The NHS advises booking an appointment with a GP if…
- you have a mole that’s changed size, shape or colour
- you have a mole that’s painful or itchy
- you have a mole that’s inflamed, bleeding or crusty
- you have a new or unusual mark on your skin that has not gone away after a few weeks
- you have a dark area under a nail that has not been caused by an injury