Your skin is your body’s largest living organ, and in many ways, it protects you from all sorts of problems. But your skin also needs protection from problems such as skin cancer. Always be aware of your skin’s health and track new moles or growths as they appear. At The Clinic for Dermatology & Wellness, our dermatological staff’s primary interest is the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. We encourage our patients to schedule regular full-body skin exams and skin cancer screenings, so if there is anything to detect, we can detect it early.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In fact, one in five people will be affected by skin cancer by the time they’re 70. Fortunately, most cases of skin cancer can be prevented with proper skin care and protective measures like applying sunscreen daily and scheduling annual skin cancer screenings.
During your skin cancer screening at The Clinic, we will look at any area(s) you may have a concern with. Then, during the full-body skin exam, we will cover every area of skin, including your scalp, face, eyes and eyelids, mouth, ears, hands, fingernails, torso, feet and toenails. Pretty much everywhere! We look for any possible indicators of skin cancer and can perform a biopsy during your exam if necessary.
It is our mission to keep you and your skin healthy and cancer-free. Here are some tips for skin cancer prevention:
Schedule regular body checks for early detection.
Want to know why regular screenings are so important? Because when skin cancers are detected and treated early, they’re highly curable! We recommend scheduling a screening with us at least once a year. In the meantime, make a habit of regularly checking your skin for any unusual spots or changes.
See a doctor right away if you notice any of these skin concerns:
- Red, rough scaly lesions with or without a “horn”
- Opalescent (shiny) lesions
- Non-healing ulcers (wounds “eating” down into the skin)
- Pale white patches of skin with red blood vessels
- Abnormal changes in existing lesions or new lesions that are rapidly changing
- Dark “bumps” with extension down into the skin
- Other findings and/or changes in the skin atypical for your body, natural skin color and health history
Check your moles for the “ABCDEs” of melanoma:
- Asymmetry – Different shapes on each side of the mole
- Border irregularity – Uneven or ragged edges
- Color – Different shades of brown or black
- Diameter – Larger than 1/4 inch
- Evolving – Has changed over time
At The Clinic, we encourage everyone to make an appointment for a full-body skin exam. It is a quick and painless way to ensure you don’t have any signs of skin cancer (or for early detection), and most people only need to come in once a year. To book your screening with our dermatology team, please call 541.200.2777 or book your appointment online today.
