You have probably known someone who has had skin cancer. Skin cancer is actually more common than many people think, which is why it is important to prevent problems and stay in front of it. Although some people, even those who try to prevent it, still get skin cancer. This is why you need to know how to prevent it as well as what to look for. Here are some things you should know.

1. How To Prevent Skin Cancer

There are some factors of skin cancer that are genetic so some people cannot guarantee that they won't get it, but there are most definitely things that you can do to make it less likely that you will get cancer. For example, sun exposure is one of the worst things that you do for your skin. This is because when the sun burns the skin it mutates the cells. These mutated cells are more likely to turn to cancerous cells. This is why it is so important that you try to avoid ever getting a sunburn, and even in a tan. The safest skin is skin that is completely free of mutated cells. This comes from wearing sunscreen, and protective clothing. Wear hats while outside, long sleeves, and stay in the shade whenever possible.

Another thing you can do to protect your skin from skin cancer is examine your skin often. You should be looking at your moles for any changes, and looking for any pieces of skin that looks irregular.

2. How To Detect Skin Cancer

The best way to detect skin cancer is to go to the doctor often and get your skin and moles looked at. The dermatologist is skilled in knowing what to look for and should be able to catch skin cancer early on if you see them often enough.

However, there are some things that you should be looking for. First of all, pay close attention to your moles. Moles are normal for many people, but they can mutate quickly. If you notice that your mole no longer has a border around it, has changed color or lacks symmetry then you need to see your doctor. The earlier you catch the problem the better since they can remove the cancerous cells before they spread throughout the body. You should also be looking for wounds that won't heal, discolored skin, and so forth.

By knowing these things you can protect yourself from skin cancer. If you still end up getting skin cancer, speak with a skin cancer surgery expert to learn more.