Skin cancer is serious and is the most-diagnosed cancer in the U.S. You need to pay attention to all of your skin – even the skin you can't see. And you need to see your doctor if you notice anything unusual or see any changes.
 
While overexposing your skin to sunlight isn't the only thing that can put you at risk for developing skin cancer (check out the risk factors covered in Key Point 2), it's definitely a major factor in a disease that's ranked as the most common of all cancers in the United States. If that fact alone doesn't cause you to think twice about baking your skin at the beach, the recent statistics [Link to Quick Facts section] probably will.

Watch for Warning Signs
Get to know your skin and check it regularly – all over – so that you'll notice any changes that occur. To help you remember, keep a record of the date you last checked your skin, or check each time there is a change of season.

It's important to check your whole body, including the soles of your feet, between the toes and your nails. Use a mirror or ask a friend or relative to check areas that are hard to see, such as your back, or the back of your legs. You can also ask your doctor to check your skin or ask for a referral to a dermatologist.

The more often you examine your skin, the more you will learn about it – what is normal for you and what has changed since the last time you looked. Skin cancers don't all look the same. Signs to look for include:

• A new spot that is different from other spots on the skin around it.
• A sore that doesn't heal.
• A spot, mole or freckle that is new or an existing one that has changed in size, shape, or color.

What to Do If You Notice a Problem
See your doctor right away. Your physician knows your medical history, can examine your skin, and advise you on appropriate care. Your doctor may suggest that you see a specialist, such as a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor who has completed special training in preventing, diagnosing and treating skin disease, including skin cancer. If your doctor suspects that you may have melanoma, the doctors you will be referred to depend on the depth of the melanoma.

How Skin Cancer is Diagnosed
First, your doctor will examine the suspicious spot, mole, or freckle. If he or she suspects skin cancer, a biopsy will most likely be done to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is a quick, simple procedure. Your doctor may do it during your exam or refer you to a specialist. Here's what's involved:

• After administering a local anesthetic, your doctor and will take a sample of the spot. (This may require a stitch or stitches to help the wound to heal.)
• The tissue that is cut out will be sent to a laboratory where a pathologist will examine it under a microscope. It will probably take at least a week for the results of your tests to be ready. 
• Your doctor will review the results from your biopsy, share the information with you, and help you explore treatment options if the test indicates that you have skin cancer.

Early Treatment Can Literally Save Your Skin...and Your Life

If tests confirm that you have skin cancer, your doctor will probably recommend that you get treatment without delay. The Skin Cancer Foundation outlines the latest treatment options.