Cancer is a serious disease that is critical for early detection and effective treatment. Sometimes, the body can be alerted to potential health problems through external changes, and one of them is changes in the skin, especially sudden darkening of certain areas of the skin, which can be a sign of potential cancer risk. Here are three areas that may darken and may indicate a potential cancer risk in your body:

1

Darkened complexion Alert for liver cancer

Darkening is one of the typical symptoms of liver cancer. This is mainly due to liver lesions that lead to decreased liver function, which in turn affects bilirubin metabolism. Bilirubin is a yellow substance that the liver normally converts into bile and excretes it through the intestines. When liver function is impaired, the metabolism of bilirubin is affected, leading to the accumulation of bilirubin in the body, which makes the complexion dark.

In addition to this, there are symptoms of liver cancer

Abdominal discomfort: People with liver cancer may experience discomfort or pain in the abdomen. This may be due to enlargement of the liver, traction of the enveloping membrane, or tumors within the liver.

Ascites: Liver cancer can lead to cirrhosis, which in turn can lead to the development of ascites. Ascites is the accumulation of too much fluid in the abdominal cavity, which causes the abdomen to distend, making the patient feel heavy and uncomfortable.

Fatigue and weakness: Liver cancer can lead to an increase in the body's energy expenditure, which can cause fatigue, feelings of weakness, and persistent fatigue.

Jaundice: Liver cancer can lead to jaundice, which is manifested by yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. This is caused by impaired liver function and inability to remove bilirubin effectively.

Weight loss: People with liver cancer may experience weight loss due to loss of appetite, digestive issues, or impaired liver function.

2

Blackened stools are alert to stomach cancer

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Stomach cancer often causes bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, when blood from the gastrointestinal tract goes through the process of digestion, and the stool appears black. This is because the hemoglobin in the blood undergoes a chemical reaction in the intestine to form a black hemoglobin.

Stomach cancer ulcer

Gastric cancer ulcers may cause local tissue to rupture, causing bleeding in the gastric mucosa, which in turn can lead to melena.

Metastasis to the intestine

Some stomach cancers may metastasize to the intestines near the stomach, affecting the normal function of the intestines and causing intestinal bleeding that manifests as melena.

Drug effects

When treated for stomach cancer, some medications can cause bleeding in the digestive tract, leading to black stools. In addition, some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants, etc. may also cause bleeding.

While dark stools may be linked to stomach cancer, it's not the only cause. Other possible causes of melena include eating certain foods (e.g., black dye foods), iron, calcium supplements, etc. Therefore, if there is a situation of black stool, it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible for relevant examinations and diagnosis.

3

The appearance of a mole is alert to melanoma

The changes in moles are a cause for concern, especially if they become larger, uneven in color, have blurred edges, and are irregularly shaped, which may be a symptom of melanoma. Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor that can pose a serious health threat if left untreated.

Uneven color:

The unevenness of the color of a mole, especially the appearance of heterochromatic patches such as faded, dark, red, or blue, may be a sign of melanoma.

Blurred edges :

The edges of a mole suddenly become blurry or irregular, losing its normal edge sharpness.

Size Variation:

Moles grow rapidly in size in a short period of time and can be a sign of melanoma.

Irregular shape :

Irregularities in the shape of a mole, especially an asymmetrical shape, may be characteristic of melanoma.

If you notice any of the above changes in your mole, especially if multiple changes occur at the same time, it is advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Doctors usually use visual examination, dermoscopy, or tissue biopsy to determine whether melanoma is or treat it accordingly.

Proofread by Zhuang Wu