12 Symptoms you should never ignore

Latest statistics show that around 11,500 people are diagnosed with melanoma every year in Australia. If detected early, melanoma is almost 100% treatable. If left untreated, it can rapidly spread and become life threatening. Here are 12 symptoms you should never ignore for possible skin cancers:

Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas appear as:

• Shiny, pearly or waxy bumps
• Flat, firm, pale areas
• Flesh-coloured or brown scar-like lesions
• Firm, red nodules
• Flat, rough, scaly or crusted lesions

Melanoma may appear as:

• A new spot on the skin that changes in size, shape or colour
• An unusual spot that looks different from the other moles or spots on your body
• Large brownish spots with darkened speckles
• Small lesions with irregular borders that may include red, white, blue or blue-black colours
• Dark lesions on the palms, soles of the feet, fingertips, toes or in the mouth

Skin cancer symptoms for lesser-known skin conditions include:

• Firm, shiny or hard nodules that indicate Merkel cell or sebaceous gland carcinomas
• Red or purplish patches that indicate Kaposi sarcoma

If you notice any of the symptoms above or have a high number of moles, a personal and/or family history of skin cancer or outdoors lifestyle, don't put off a skin check until it's too late. Look after yourself today and get your skin checked regularly.

Source: Newsmax.com