Test For Skin Cancer Check

Certain medical exams and tests can be used to differentiate skin cancer from other skin condition. When the existence of skin cancer on an individual is determined, further test may be taken to diagnosis the spread of the cancer.

For basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, early diagnosis is sensible and practical. However for malignant melanoma, an early diagnosis is vital to prevent the cancer from spreading out of control and life-threatening.

History and Physical Exam

An individual medical history is vital information for the general practitioner to diagnosis whether he or she has skin cancer.

Information asked by general practitioner:

Age
Time of mark on the skin first appeared
Size and appearance of the mark
Personal and family’s medical history of skin cancer
Know past exposure to know factors of skin cancer

After information gathered, the general practitioner will perform physical examination on the individual. The examination involves:

Noting the size, shape, color and texture of mark
Whether the mark(s) bleeds or scales
Scanning for spots and moles that generally associated to skin cancer
Checking the condition of the lymph notes to determine whether the lymph notes react against the any cancerous cells

If an individual is suspected of developing skin cancer, he or she will be attended by a dermatologist. Among the steps and the techniques are to be taken by dermatologist are the standard physical test, dermatoscopy to see the skin’s condition clearly and photographic images of the skin.

If the dermatologist suspects skin cancer, a medical test called skin biopsy will be taken to prove the existence of skin cancer on the individual. The nature of the affected skin will determine the methods of skin biopsies to be performed by the dermatologist. There are various methods of skin biopsies, there are:

Shave Biopsy: This method is used to determine the existence of basal cell carcinoma. A local anesthetic will be applied on the skin and the dermatologist will “shave?the top layers of the skin with the surgical blade.
Punch Biopsy: This method is used to determine the existence of basal parts of the body must be thoroughly checked as not only sun-exposed area of the skin can develop skin cancer.

Be sure to look out for any signs of:

Sore that not fully healed
Shiny pink or red,slow-growing lesions
Flat, depressed lesions
Growth with rolled edges
Black or brown streak underneath a nail
Waxy-feeling of scar
Changes in the color, size, shape, and texture od a mole or lesion

The rule of ABCDs of Melanoma Detection must be applied if it's concerns the moles.

Asymmetry-Does one half of a mole look different from the others?

Border Irregularity-Is the edge (border) of the mole ragged, notched or blurred?

Color-Does the mole have variety of hues and color within the same

Diameter-What is the size of the mole? While melanomas are usually greater than 6 milimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser) in diameter when diagnosed, they can be smaller. If you notice a mole different from others, or which changes, itches, or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6 milimeters, you should see a dermatologist.

Any lesion that resembles one described above or that you believe may be skin cancer should be examined by a dermatologist immediately.