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Melanoma is a cancer that most often starts in a mole located in a sun-exposed part of the skin. Much less often, melanoma can start in other organs or in other tissues, such as the inside of the mouth.
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As summer approaches, so do barbecues, baseball games, and time on the beach--in other words, fun in the sun. It's common knowledge that too much time in the sun can hurt your skin. Yet many people don't fully understand just how important it is to protect their skin. Wearing sunscreen and taking other precautions helps protect against sunburns and skin damage and can keep your summer (or winter) fun, safe, and healthy.
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Screening means checking for disease in people who don't have any symptoms. Not every type of cancer has guidelines for recommendation of screening – melanoma does. You have a better chance of surviving melanoma if doctors diagnose and treat it early. "Early” means finding the melanoma when it is thin. A melanoma that is thick (penetrating deeper in the skin) or bleeding is more worrisome than a thin melanoma. The best way to find melanoma early is to have regular skin check-ups from a healthcare provider who is trained to inspect skin. The American Cancer Society recommends skin check-ups for people 20 to 40 years old every 3 years. People who are older than 40 should have a skin check-up once a year. Even though these skin check-ups help increase the chances of finding melanoma early, they don't guarantee that you won't get melanoma or die from it, especially if it's found after you have symptoms.
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If you are at high risk for melanoma or other skin cancers, your healthcare provider may recommend regular skin self-examinations. Even if you are not at high risk, ask your doctor or nurse to show you how to do the exam.
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Relaxing in the sun may feel good. But it isn't good for your skin. In fact, being exposed to the sun's harmful rays is a major cause of skin cancer. This is a serious disease that can be life-threatening. People of all ages and backgrounds are at risk. But in most cases, skin cancer can be prevented.
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Moles are small, pigmented (colored) marks on the skin. They have no known purpose. Most moles appear before age 30. Moles most often are benign (not cancer) and harmless. But some become cancerous. That's why you need to watch the moles on your body.
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To do your monthly mole check, make copies of this chart. Then, fill in the date, the number of moles on each part of your body, and a description of each mole. Keep all of your completed charts and use them to track changes in your moles over time.
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