Signs to Watch for When You Have a Lump:  Look for Cancer Before It Begins

Everyone should check their body regularly for anything unusual.  Finding cancer early is your best chance of beating this terrible disease.

Keep an eye out for changes with moles or freckles.  Melanoma is increasing dramatically.  Skin cancer is usually curable if caught early.  Yearly screenings by a doctor are recommended.  You should perform a self-exam every month.  Check the entire body, because skin cancer can occur even in the mouth.  Use a mirror if you need to to inspect your back, underarms, scalp, legs and any other hard to see area.

A melanoma is usually asymmetrical. 

A melanoma may have irregular borders while moles have a smooth border. 

Melanomas usually have have a range of colors that start in browns, but may change to red, blue or even white.  Moles are usually one shade of brown.

Melanomas usually have a larger diameter than a mole, but they can be smaller too.

Keep an eye out for a "mole" that changes color, size or begins to itch.  If you are in doubt, see your doctor.

Women should perform a breast self-exam every month to see if there is something new that is out of the norm.  Be on the watch for dimples or pits forming, an area feels different that the rest of the breast, a previous lump has changed,  pain, discharge coming from the nipples, red skin, or pain.  Most lumps which are found in the breast or not cancer, but you should see the doctor immediately if you notice something different.

Men should perform a self-exam every month on their testicles after bathing.  The heat causes the scrotum to relax and you can find lumps easier then.  Check for lumps, swelling, or pain.  Cancer of the prostate and testicles are survivable if found early.  If you find anything, painful or not, see your physician immediately.