| Are
You at Risk For Skin Cancer?
Take The 2-Minute Questionnaire...It Could Save Your Life
Heredity
and lifestyle plays a major role in determining who gets skin cancer.
To find out if you're in the high risk group, ask yourself the following
questions. Only 1 "yes" means you have a higher-than-average risk of developing
skin cancer. The good news is that it is one of the most treatable of
all cancers when detected early. Check your whole body every month, including
in the armpits and between your toes. Have a dermatologist check you out
head-to-toe once a year.
1.
Family History: Has anyone in your family had skin cancer?
2.
Ancestral
Traits: Do you have Scandinavian or Celtic ancestors, fair
or sensitive skin, blond or red hair and/or blue or green eyes?
3.
Mole Changes: Have you noticed any change in a mole or freckle?
Size, shape, color or consistency? Any changes noticed in the skin around
it like redness or swelling?
4.
Large Moles: Do you have moles larger than a pencil eraser?
Are they multi-colored - blue, black, brown, tan, red, or pink? Do any
have irregular borders? Do you have a lot of moles on your back?
5.
Slow Healing: Do you have any open sores or wounds that refuse
to heal or have been present for more than 2 weeks?
6.
Discomfort: Do you have any spots or growths that repeatedly
itch, hurt, crust over, scab, erode or bleed?
7.
Texture: Do you have a pearly, rough or unusual patch or lump,
especially on a high-risk area such as the lower part of the nose; around
the nose, eyes or ears, on the ear itself, or on the center of the upper
lip, the scalp or temples.
8.
Sunburn History: Did you experience at least one or two severe
sunburns as a child or before the age of 18?
9.
Short Hair: Do you have a short haircut that exposes your
ears and the back of your neck?
10.
Skip Sunscreen: Do you save it only for the summer or when
you're skiing or on a sunny vacation spot?
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