Cancer symptoms: The warning sign to notice on your neck, face and ears

 (Source:https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news)

Signs of skin cancer

Air pollution, poor diet, inactivity and exposure to different kinds of chemicals has increased the risk of cancer in the past few decades. Cancer has become one of the deadliest health conditions, claiming more than 9 million lives across the globe every year. Different kinds of cancer exhibit diverse symptoms depending on the part of the body the cancerous cell effect. One common symptom of cancer can be seen near your neck, face and ears. It can be an indication that you need to get yourself examined at the earliest.

Symptom of cancer on neck, ears and face

A pearly white and waxy growth in the neck, ears and face could be a sure shot sign of Basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. This type of cancer develops on the body parts exposed to sunlight. Those suffering from this health condition can witness a large transparent bump on the skin. The lump can be of different shapes and appear in any part of the body exposed to sunlight. Being a type of skin cancer, most basal cell carcinomas are caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight.

​How do the lesions appear

The skin lesion can appear due to several reasons, but the one caused due to growth of abnormal cells in the body has some specific characteristics. The lesions due to skin cancer rarely develop in covered areas like the genitals and abdomen. The changes in the skin due to the growth of cancerous cells may have one or more characters:

A translucent, pearly white or pink bump on fair skin. It may appear brown or glossy black on brown black skin.

A brown, black or blue lump with dark spots and a slightly raised, translucent border.

A flat, scaly patch with a raised edge that grows over time.

A white, waxy, scar-like lesion without a defined border.

An open sore that bleeds, or oozes and remains open for several weeks

If you witness any of the following signs on your neck, ears and face call your health care provider immediately.

What to do to reduce the risk of screen cancer

Avoid the sun during the middle of the day: Soaking in the Sun rays is essential to get enough vitamin D in a day, but try to avoid doing this when the sun rays are the strongest. Limit your sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Wear sunscreen: Applying sunscreen is not only essential in the summers but equally vital in winters. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days on the exposed part of your body.

Wear protective clothing: Wear dark coloured and tightly woven cloths to cover your arms and legs and protect against the harsh sun rays.

Check your skin regularly: If you notice even the slightest change in your skin contact your doctor. Get yourself examined for new skin growths or changes in existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks.

How to protect yourself from skin cancer

Cancer is not caused due to a single factor. Several things increase our risk of developing cancer like age, family history, exposure to arsenic, radiation therapy and immune-suppressing drugs. While one cannot do anything to reduce the risk when it comes to genetic and age-related factors, there are some common things that may help to reduce your risk of basal cell carcinoma.