The sooner skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat it. That is why doctors advise people toperform monthly exams of all areas of skin, from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet. It isimportant to know early warning signs so that cancerous growths are found before they spread. Thesigns include a skin growth that changes in size, colour, thickness or texture. Exams with a trainedmedical worker are also important. See a doctor if a mole bleeds, is bigger than six millimetres or you feellike rubbing it. If one or more of the warning signs are present, a doctor should examine you immediately. Treatment of skin cancer depends on the kind, size, position on the body and depth of the growth,or tumor. Other considerations are the patient's age and general health. An operation to remove thecancerous cells can cure melanoma if the cancer has not spread. Doctors use drugs to treat melanomawhen it has already spread. They also may use radiation to kill cancer cells and reduce the size fcancerous growths. In addition, doctors now use treatments like gene therapy or remove affected fingersor toes. They also may use immunotherapy —— getting the body's immune system to fight the cancer. America's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says protection from the sun is importantall year long, not just during the summer. It Says ultraviolet radiation from the sun can reach you oncloudy days, as well as bright and sunny ones. The Centre's officials say U-V rays can damage yourskin in as little as fifteen minutes. Sunglasses, hats and clothing offer some protection. Experts say thedenser the material, the less radiation reaches the skin. Also, darker colours may offer more protection,and natural cotton blocks more than bleached or whitened cotton. When clothing is wet or stretched,however, it lets more U-V rays pass through.
