what does skin cancer look like?
364411
Skin cancer has many forms. It could be a mole that you've had all your life and suddenly changed colors, it could be a mole or freckle with uneven edges, a crusty/scabby patch of skin. If you think a spot is unusual you should contact a dermatologist, better safe than sorry. Skin caner is the most deadly of cancers and the most cureable, go get checked!
641406
go to http://uk.ask.com/#subject:ask|pg:1 and chose "pictures" then type in melanoma and a whole bunch of pics come up.  Good luck
515849
I think it might depend on what type of cancer it is. Breast cancer and prostrate cancer can run in the family. Not sure skin cancer is that way, though, or lung cancer. Your chances also go up depending on your lifestyle, like if you smoke or overweight. Don't take my word on it though, check with your physician, he/she should be able to give you a fairly good idea of your risk, and probably be able to tell you ways to lower your risk.
638506
That sounds like it.  I've seen the scar and that is what it looks like.
1128648
There may not be an early warning signs.  As it grows it can produce symptoms such as a lump or thickening in the breast or underarm, change in size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge or nipple turning inward, redness or scaling of the skin or nipple, and ridges or pitting of the breast skin.  If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but you need to be examined by a doctor.
1149081
It could be a lot of things, with the worst being a skin cancer. He needs to go to his doctor or a dermatologist to be checked. Some of the skin cancers can actually spread and become fatal. Tell him you love him and want him to be around for a long time, then hand him the appointment card....
56636
you should see a dermatologist
964470
Well, to start out, nobody can ever assure you that you are in the clear. Not even a doctor can assure you that. I'm not an oncologist, but my dad has been fighting a rare form of reoccurent melanoma for over a decade. He's had lots of "spots" removed, and they have had to go back in because they didn't go deep enough to get all of it. If my dad's statistics are any indication, they often do get it all the first time. However, you still need to be viligant in watching your skin because it can reoccur.\n\nBest wishes for good health.
241272
Sorry to have to be the first to tell you NOT to get as dark as you can.  After seeing my grandfather after a 17 hour surgery to remove skin cancer from his ear and face (they actually removed and than reattached his ear) and then having my 16 year old son diagnosed and treated for Melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer), I can't say enough times to protect your skin.  Our dermatologist said tans are just a sign of how damaged your skin is.  Save your money and possibly your life - don't use a tanning bed.
423768
You should see a dermatologist.
476954
Cancer looks like a spider. That's why it's named Cancer. Anyways, if you want to know how cancer actually happens I'll fill you in: You see if in some part of your body cell division gets out of control and too much Mitosis happens( mitosis is the sort of cell division that cells have but meiosis only happens in sexual organs) all the cells that are produces will start making a tumor. So, if this tumor is not that dangerous nothing will really happen. Although if it's not a good tumor, after a while the membrane of that tumor will tare apart and the cells will go to an organ of your body (where they are) and make the cancer although if they enter your blood things will get really dirty and they can go to all your organs.
887023
the doctor will of course look at the whole body skin, you can hope there are no more suspiscious lesions, but this word is the hallmark, if something does not look right, they will remove it for further evaluation. Hope you don't have any mroe of it, good luck
222050
Having worked in a Dermatologists office, I would say the best kind of cancer to get is a skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma.  You cannot die from this type of cancer, but if not treated, can cause a lot of other problems.
1066087
LOOK trust me on this... Look up hidradenitis. See if any of those symptoms pertain to you. Minor, or the major ones. If you think so.. IM Me. Dont let the ppl scare you, while it could be cancerous, it more than likely isnt.
330473
Its indeed a precancerosis, a lot of people have it, especially those who have been in the sun a lot in their lifes, its easily removed with a laser, so if you have some, you should best contact a dermatologist
1052955
Moles, known medically as nevi, are clusters of pigmented cells that often appear as small, dark brown spots on your torso, face, arms and legs. But moles can come in a range of colors and can develop virtually anywhere, including your scalp, armpits, under your nails, and between your fingers and toes.\n\nMost people have between 10 and 40 moles, although the number you have may change throughout life. New moles can appear into mid-adulthood, and because moles last about 50 years, some moles may disappear as you age.\n\nThe great majority of moles are harmless, but in rare cases, moles may become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other pigmented patches is an important step in the diagnosis of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Although not all melanomas develop from pre-existing moles, many begin in or near a mole or other dark spot on the skin.\n\n\nEveryone has moles, sometimes 40 or more. Most people think of a mole as a dark brown spot, but moles have a wide range of appearance. \n\nAt one time, a mole in a certain spot on the cheek of a woman was considered fashionable. Some were even painted on. These were called "beauty marks." However, not all moles are beautiful. They can be raised from the skin and very noticeable, they may contain dark hairs, or they may be dangerous. \n\n\nNormal Mole \n\nMoles can appear anywhere on the skin, alone or in groups. They are usually brown in color and can be various sizes and shapes. The brown color is caused by melanocytes, special cells that produce the pigment melanin. \n\nMoles probably are determined before a person is born. Most appear during the first 20 years of a person's life, although some may not appear until later in life. Sun exposure increases the number of moles. \n\nEach mole has its own growth pattern. At first, moles are flat and tan, pink, brown or black in color, like a freckle. Over time, they usually enlarge and some develop hairs. As the years pass, moles usually change slowly, becoming more raised and lighter in color. Some will not change at all. Most moles will slowly disappear, seeming to fade away. Others will become raised so far from the skin that they may develop a small "stalk" and eventually fall off or are rubbed off. \n\nThis is the typical life cycle of the common mole. These changes occur slowly since the life cycle of the average mole is about 50 years. \n\nMoles may darken, with exposure to the sun. During the teen years, with birth control pills and pregnancy, moles often get darker and larger and new ones may appear. \n\nDifferent Types of Moles\nRecent studies have shown that certain types of moles have a higher-than-average risk of becoming cancerous. Some may develop into a form of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma. Sunburns may increase the risk of melanoma. People with many more moles than average (greater than 100) are also more at risk for melanoma. \n\nMoles are present at birth in about 1 in 100 people. They are called congenital nevi. These moles may be more likely to develop a melanoma than moles which appear after birth. When a congenital nevus is more than eight inches across, it poses the greater risk for developing melanoma. \n\nMoles known as dysplastic nevi or atypical moles are larger than average (usually larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, sometimes reddish, uneven borders or black dots at edge. These moles often run in families. \n\nPersons with dysplastic nevi may have a greater-than-average chance of developing malignant melanoma. These people should be seen regularly by a dermatologist to check for any changes that might indicate skin cancer. They should also learn to do regular self-examinations, looking for changes in the color, size or shape of their moles or the appearance of new moles. They should also shield their moles from sun exposure using sunscreen and/or clothing. \n\nRecognizing the ea
970959
Registered Nurse here; Any change in mole, enlargement, change of color, texture, scab formation, etc.  Should immediately be evaluated by a dermatologist.  It could be cancer, however the odds are in your favor that it is not, however one never knows.  That's why it is so very important for a physician to evaluate this mole,  Dermatologist can sometimes tell just by the shape, color, etc, that it's of no significance, however if there is a question they will either biopsy it or remove it, either way it's sent for a pathology report to determine what type of cell growth is exhibited.  Please get it checked ASAP, and thanks for the opportunity to address such a well worded and important question.