You have the XP gene

You have the XP gene
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Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare inherited disorder. According to the Genetics Home Reference, it’s estimated that about one in one million people have it. People with the disorder have an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet rays from the sun. The gene limits the skin cells’ ability to repair damage to their DNA. According to the American Cancer Society, people with XP have a high risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers when they are young – when the condition usually reveals itself – especially on the eyes and sun-exposed areas.

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You work with industrial chemicals

You work with industrial chemicals
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People who work in the fields growing produce, in steel and iron foundries, or in coal and aluminium production plants have a higher risk of skin cancer, according to a 2014 study published in BioMed Research International. Also at risk are people who work with industrial carcinogens. These include arsenic – used in pesticides – and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – which are in raw paraffin, creosote, chimney soot, asphalt, shale oil, tar and pitch, and even diesel-engine exhaust fumes.

You already had skin cancer

You already had skin cancer
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Just because you’ve had a squamous cell carcinoma or another type of skin cancer removed doesn’t mean you can relax – if anything, you should be more concerned. SCC recurrence is relatively common on the ears, nose and lips; it typically occurs during the first two years following surgery. In fact, having any type of skin cancer makes it more likely that you will develop another type of skin cancer. “During your regular skin check, your dermatologist will examine old scars to make sure there is no evidence of the cancer returning,” says Dr Haimovic.

Stay vigilant

Stay vigilant
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Dermatologists recommend that you do a monthly self-check of your moles and any other skin abnormalities to help catch trouble early. This will help you keep tabs on any changes. Be on the lookout for moles or lesions that change in colour (including fading), shape or size, or if you’re experiencing pain, itching or bleeding in these areas, Dr Wang advises.

If you do have a growth, use the guideline called ABCDE to evaluate it. That stands for:

  • Asymmetry (melanomas are less likely to be symmetrical),
  • Border (melanoma borders tend to be uneven),
  • Colour (multiple colours aren’t good),
  • Diameter (if it’s the size of pencil eraser or bigger, that’s a red flag), and
  • Evolving (a change in size or behaviour, such as bleeding, itching, or crusting).

The good news is that although skin cancer is a common form of cancer, if detected early it is usually curable.

So you think you know how to identify skin cancer? Just to be certain, read here how to recognise a melanoma.

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Source: RD.com

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