Joe Yates
A dermatologist has urged people not to ignore subtle signs to look out for that could indicate they have skin cancer.
Dr Fatima Awdeh, of Riverside Skin and Laser Clinic in Essex, England, has revealed two little-known signs of skin cancer that most people miss.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer before the age of 70, with 9,500 people in the US receiving the diagnosis each day, and more than two people in the country succumbing to this specific type of the disease each hour, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
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It also notes how more people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year in the States than all of the cancers combined, and it costs the US around $8.1 billion to treat.
Taking to the clinic's Instagram page, Awdeh posted: "Signs of skin cancer can include new growths or changes in existing ones, such as moles or patches of skin, that are new, changing, or growing.
"These changes may include changes in size, shape, color, or border.
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"Other signs include sores that don’t heal, or heal and then come back, as well as itching or pain in an area of skin."
The consultant dermatologist identified three symptoms of skin cancer, and while one of them is fairly obvious that something is wrong, the final two are much harder to self-diagnose.
The first of two little-known signs of cancer is a non-healing patch of eczema, which is a sign of squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs).
According to the American Cancer Society, about two in 10 skin cancers are SCCs and they appear on sun-exposed areas of the body.
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With the other little-known sign being a non-healing pimple, otherwise known as basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) - which is the most common type of skin cancer.
Meanwhile, the third more obvious issue was if a new streak pops up under your finger or toe nail - which indicates melanoma.
Melanoma is a skin cancer, which according to the Mayo Clinic, ‘starts in the melanocytes’.
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The website states: “Melanocytes are cells that make the pigment that gives skin its color. The pigment is called melanin.
“Melanoma typically starts on skin that's often exposed to the sun. This includes the skin on the arms, back, face and legs. Melanoma also can form in the eyes. Rarely, it can happen inside the body, such as in the nose or throat.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.