Skin cancer
is the most common cancer but luckily 99 percent of cases are curable if they are diagnosed and treated early enough. Unlike other cancers, skin cancers are the cancers we can see. Skin cancers are on the outside and are usually visible, opposed to other cancers that develop on the inside of the body.
What can you do?
Develop a regular routine to inspect your body for skin changes. If a growth, mole, sore or skin discoloration appears suddenly, or begins to change, see a dermatologist. It is recommended to have an annual skin examination by a dermatologist, especially for adults with significant past sun exposure, a family history of skin cancer, or other known risk factors.
Warning Signs of Melanoma INCLUDE:
- Changes in the surface of a mole
- Scaliness, oozing, or bleeding from an existing mole or the appearance of a new mole that looks different from others.
- Spread of pigment from the border of a mole into surrounding skin.
- Change in sensation including itchiness, tenderness, or pain.
THE ABCDE’S of Melanoma
Asymmetry – One half unlike the other half
Border – Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border
Color – Varied from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue.
Diameter – While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
Evolving – A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or changes in size, shape or color.
NWSCI has partnered with SKINIO a breakthrough, non-invasive mole-mapping technology that takes your annual skin exam to the next level by aiding in the prevention and early detection of skin cancer.
DermTech testing is also available to our patients. This is a highly accurate, non-invasive genomic test for early melanoma detection by combining RNA gene expression with DNA mutation analyses.
