There's a 99% chance you'll live ...

As much as this blog depicts the perils of not wearing the best sunscreen, we must also understand that recent research shows that when detected early, the survival rate for people with melanoma is nearly 99%.

However, if left unchecked and not caught in the early stages of formation, skin cancer survival rates can be as low as 15%. Yikes. And we all no people who refuse to go to the doctor even at the worst of times - never a good idea.

So just as much as women conduct self examinations for breast cancer, and men for testicular cancer, we all must regularly check our moles and sun spots for irregularities.

According to healthy and fit magazine here are some tips on detection and warning signs:

"Gather a bright light; a full-length mirror; a hand mirror; two chairs or stools and a blow-dryer.

1. Examine head and face, using one or both mirrors. Use a blow-dryer to inspect scalp.
2. Check hands, front and back, including nails. In a full-length mirror examine elbows, arms and underarms.
3. Focus on neck, chest, and torso. Women: check under breasts.
4. With back to mirror, use a hand mirror to inspect back of neck, shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks, legs.
5. Sitting down on one chair with leg propped up on the other, check legs and feet, including soles, heels, and nails. Use hand mirror to examine genitals.

The warning signs:
A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black or multi-colored
A mole, birthmark, beauty mark or any brown spot that:
changes color
increases in size or thickness
changes in texture
is irregular in outline
is bigger than 6 mm (1/4 inch), the size of pencil eraser
appears after age 21
A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode or bleed
An open sore that does not heal within three week"

So to everybody out there, ensure that you regularly observe your skin - it might just save your life.