Skin cancer occurs in a number of ways. If you notice any of the following
signs or symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible.
On adults: a new skin growth that does not disappear in four weeks
An open sore or wound that refuses to heal, persists for more than four
weeks, or heals and later reopens
Any skin spot or growth that continues to itch, hurt, crust over, form
a scab, erode or bleed for four weeks
A skin lesion that grows larger and turns brown, black or multicolored
A mole, birthmark, or beauty mark that changes in size, color or texture
or becomes irregular in shape
Schedule your annual skin exam today! Call
701.780.6623 to make an appointment.
Preventing Skin Cancer
Skin cancers are usually the result of damage to the skin cells by years
of sun exposure. Sun damage is cumulative. All sun exposure adds up throughout
a lifetime. Premature aging is also caused by too much sun.
Common sense precautions can prevent further damage:
Avoid outdoor activities during peak sunlight hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
When in the sun, wear a hat and cover up as much as possible
Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 on all
exposed skin
Reapply often, particularly if swimming or perspiring
Don't be fooled by cloudy or overcast days - damaging radiation can still
get through
People with light complexions who do not tan easily or those with a family
history of skin cancer should be especially careful about excessive sun exposure
Beware of light reflecting surfaces such as sand, snow and water, which
magnify the potential harm to skin
Avoid tanning booths and sun lamps, which are just as dangerous as the
sun's rays
Know Your ABCD's of Skin Cancer
Asymmetry = moles that are not perfectly round; one half does not equal the other
half in regard to size and shape
Border = an irregular, jagged or blurred border
Color = uneven or different colors in a mole or red, white blue or black
Diameter = moles larger than 5 or 6 millimeters, approximately the size of a pencil eraser
A pigmented lesion with one, two or three of these characteristics is not
necessarily a melanoma. However, it would warrant evaluation by a dermatologist.
At the same time, melanomas may develop without any of these characteristics.
A good rule-of-thumb is any mole with any of the ABCD’s (or any
mole that has changed in color, shape, size, itching or pain) should be
evaluated by a dermatologist.
Everyone should have a complete skin examination by a dermatologist at
least every three years between the ages of 20 and 40 (and more often
if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer or other risk factors).
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