May is Melanoma Awareness Month, which means it’s time to make your annual appointment with your dermatologist for a skin cancer screening. Regular skin checks are crucial because most skin cancers, including melanoma, are entirely curable when caught early at an annual screening.
Let’s examine why these annual screenings are so important and what to expect at your appointment.
Why Are Annual Skin Cancer Screenings Important?
Annual skin cancer screenings can help detect skin cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages. A skin check can also help your dermatologist find and remove precancerous lesions before they become cancerous.
If you are in your 20s or 30s, you should start having regular skin checks, especially if you have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Blonde or red hair
- Light eye color
- Skin that freckles or sunburns easily
- Family history of melanoma
- Personal history of sunburns
- History of unusual moles
- Tanning bed use
- More than 50 moles
- A suspicious-looking mole
As we head into a season of spending lots of time outdoors in the sun, it is time to make sure you have an annual appointment scheduled and are taking precautions to protect your skin. Make an appointment for a yearly skin exam at Rodgers Dermatology for yourself or other family members!
What Is a Skin Cancer Screening Like?
At Rodgers Dermatology, skin cancer screenings are quick, painless, and usually covered by insurance. We will gently and thoroughly examine your skin from head to toe during the skin check, which typically takes about 10 minutes. If we detect anything suspicious, like a strange mole or other lesion, we will recommend a quick and easy biopsy to evaluate further and determine which type of cancer, if any, is present.
How Many Types of Skin Cancer Are There?
The three types of skin cancers most often seen are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, often resulting from overexposure to UVB radiation (ultraviolet B-rays).
Squamous cell carcinoma is the 2nd most common type of skin cancer. It usually appears as a crusted or scaly patch of skin with an inflamed, red base. It is often tender to the touch and can develop anywhere.
Melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, but it is by far the most dangerous. It can spread quickly to internal organs and the lymphatic system. Melanoma is often caused by overexposure to sunlight beginning in childhood, and early detection is vital for curing this type of cancer.
What Happens if My Dermatologist Finds a Suspicious Mole?
If your dermatologist finds a suspicious lesion during your skin check, they will take a biopsy to diagnose whether cancer is present. The biopsy may be a shave biopsy, where a small razor-blade-like instrument removes a portion of the top layers of skin, or a punch biopsy, where a small round cookie-cutter-like instrument removes a plug of skin and then sutures are placed to close the area.
The dermatologist will use the biopsy to diagnose skin cancer. If cancer is present, there are several treatment options available to you depending on the type of cancer:
- Cryosurgery
- Curettage and desiccation
- Mohs micrographic surgery
- Prescription medicated creams
- Radiation therapy
- Surgical excision
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
What Preventative Measures Can I Take on My Own Between Appointments?
Between your annual skin checks, you should protect your skin from sun exposure and take other precautions to prevent skin cancer.
Some of the most important things you can do for prevention include:
- Stay out of the sun during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Cover arms and legs with protective clothing
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Use sunscreens year-round with an SPF of 15 or greater and sunblocks that work on UVA and UVB rays. (Look for products that use the term “broad spectrum.”)
- Check your skin monthly and contact your dermatologist if you notice any changes.
How to Identify Changes in Your Skin
With all three types of skin cancer, early detection is crucial. The key here is noticing changes in your skin, such as:
- Large brown spots with darker speckles located anywhere on the body
- Dark lesions on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, fingertips, toes, mouth, nose, or genitalia
- Translucent pearly and dome-shaped growths
- Existing moles that begin to grow, itch, or bleed
- Brown or black streaks under the nails
- A sore that repeatedly heals and reopens
- Clusters of slow-growing scaly lesions that are pink or red
Also, don’t forget the “ABCDE” guide from the American Academy of Dermatology.
What are the ABCDEs of Melanoma?
Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Fortunately, this type of cancer is easily and successfully treated when spotted early. Knowing the ABCDEs of Melanoma is your first line of defense for early detection and could save your life.
- Asymmetry: Check the shape of the blemish for unusual shapes. Melanoma is typically asymmetrical and not circular.
- Border: Skin cancer doesn’t always have clear or easily defined borders. Melanoma, for example, has borders that are hard to spot and appear irregular in shape.
- Color: A normal, benign mole will usually only have one or two colors. Cancerous moles may have multiple colors, such as brown, black, red, or white.
- Diameter: The diameter of moles and lesions should be no larger than the eraser of a #2 pencil. Melanoma tends to be over 6mm in diameter.
- Evolution: Harmless or benign moles tend to keep their shape and other characteristics, while cancerous blemishes will evolve over time.
This handy, at-home method of checking for skin cancer isn’t perfect. To know for sure, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to ensure that any suspicious lesion is not melanoma.
Schedule Your Routine Skin Check in Frisco, TX
At Rodgers Dermatology, Dr. Rodgers has been treating skin cancer for years. He finds most skin cancers during routine skin exams, and often, the patient does not even notice they have a lesion before their visit. This is why it is vital to have regular self-exams and schedule visits to the dermatologist.
If you are over 30 or have a mole or other skin problem you aren’t sure about, don’t wait! Request your appointment online or call us at 972-808-5196.
Compassionate Skin Cancer Screenings at Rodger Dermatology in Frisco, TX
At Rodgers Dermatology, we offer thorough skin cancer screenings and treatment options. Dr. Rodgers has been treating skin cancers for years, giving him the insight and skill to detect and address suspicious lesions successfully. Early detection is key to curing cancer, so don’t wait to schedule your annual checkup! Schedule your appointment today.