Going for an annual skin screening can save your life and is vital in preventing skin cancer. The sooner preventative measures are taken; the better your chances are it won’t spread. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. However, with early detection, most skin cancers can be successfully treated before they spread. We strive for early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin cancer. We offer a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatments to eliminate this disease. Mole Removal, Cryosurgery, Photodynamic therapy, lasers and medications are just some of the alternatives available to treat them. Please contact our office for a skin screening or diagnosis and treatment of any skin problem.
Recognizing the Different Types of Skin Cancer:
Skin cancer should not be taken lightly. It can crop up on anyone with little warning. It is not reserved just for those who spend weeks in tanning salons! There are three types of very common skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The carcinomas are easily treatable and rarely advance into a state dangerous to your health, but melanomas should be taken care of as early as possible because once it spreads, it could lead to serious complications. Skin biopsies, such as mole removal, are the only way to truly diagnose a potentially cancerous portion of your skin to prevent you from undergoing multiple skin biopsies, a few telltale signs of the common skin cancers should be considered.
Basal Cell Carcinoma:
Be on the lookout for raised, smooth, pearly bumps around the head, neck or shoulder areas. It often resembles a sore but fails to heal.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma:
Look for red, scaling, thickening patches of skin in sun-exposed areas.
Melanoma:
Melanoma appears as dark, either brown or black, lesions. One must be observant of any moles changing size, shape, elevation or color.
Not all skin cancers will always follow these patterns so it is important to get a skin cancer screening at least once a year to ensure you stay skin cancer free.
