Recognizing Blemishes that are Not Skin Cancer

If you find yourself worrying about skin cancer – good for you! Not that you should stress yourself out over the possibility of having this deadly disease, but awareness is the first step toward early detection and preventing it from spreading throughout your body. By detecting it early, you will likely experience a full recovery. But, what skin blemishes are normal and do not require getting yourself all worked up over?



Birthmarks



Birthmarks, which are really just moles that have been with you since the day you were born, are no cause for concern. Also called “congenital nevi,” they are a normal occurrence. Therefore, there is no need to be concerned about birthmarks, unless you see a sudden change in its shape or color.



Liver Spots



Liver spots, which are also known as solar lentigines, actually have nothing to do with the liver. Rather, these flat, brown or tan spots are caused by a combination of exposure to the sun and aging. They are most often found in the areas most frequently exposed to the sun, such as the forearms, hands, face, and neck.



Moles



Moles in general are not a cancer concern. In fact, many adults have as many as 40 to 60 moles on their bodies! Moles that begin developing during adolescence are called acquired moles. It is normal for these moles to grow and to darken while a teenager. Moles are not a concern unless they are asymmetrical, have an uneven border, are an unusual color or are multi-colored, or if they are larger than a pencil eraser. In these cases, you should have the moles checked on by a specialist.



Cherry Angiomas



Cherry angiomas are smooth growths that are most commonly found on the back and the chest. In most cases, these growths are bright red and appear most often as a person ages.



Skin Tags



Skin tags are soft pieces of skin that most commonly grow in the armpits, on the neck, and in the groin area. These soft flaps are usually the results of repeated friction, though the cause of skin flaps is not always known. They also most commonly occur in people who are overweight and in pregnant women. Unless they are irritating, they are not a cause for a concern. They can easily be removed by simply cutting them with a pair of surgical shears.



Seborrheic Keratoses



These wart-like growths are tan or brown in color. They commonly occur in people as they age and are not a sign of skin cancer.



Actinic Keratoses



People with sun damaged skin may develop scaly red patches called actinic keratoses. Although these growths are not cancerous themselves, they can develop into cancerous cells. Therefore, these should be looked at by a doctor and removed in order to prevent cancer from occurring.

Since skin cancer is curable when caught early, it is better to be safe than sorry. So, if you think you have one of these skin growths but are not sure, it is best to have it evaluated by a doctor.