Presented by Marc Scheiner, M.D., Cecil Dermatology, Elkton, MD
CecilDermatology.com
410.620.9722
@cecildermatology
With over 3 million new diagnoses per year, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. What is skin cancer? Simply put, it is the growth of abnormal cells in the outer layer of the skin. Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps. There are several types of skin cancer, most of which do not spread to other parts of the body, but still need to be removed to prevent further growth.
Skin cancer can affect men and women of all ages. Seniors, however, often have higher rates of skin cancer than younger adults. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), men over the age of 50 have a significantly higher risk of developing skin cancer than the general population. But of course, women of a similar age can be diagnosed with skin cancer as well.
The American Cancer Society recommends people between the ages of 20-40 get a professional skin exam every three years. People over the age of 40 should get an exam annually.
What can you expect at a skin cancer screening appointment?
If you’ve never had atypical moles or skin cancer, the exam will likely be brief (about 10 minutes). You’ll need to remove your clothes and put on a medical exam gown. You won’t need to remove your underwear, unless you’ve indicated that a spot on your genitalia concerns you.
The dermatologist or plastic surgeon will thoroughly check your skin from head to toe, paying close attention to hard-to-see spots like your scalp, back, backs of your legs, and behind your ears. The doctor may use a small handheld magnifying device.
Then the physician may recommend that you have a biopsy of one or more suspicious spots. This means removing a portion of a skin lesion and sending it to a lab for analysis. If the report comes back that the spot is skin cancer, the physician will contact you and explain the type of skin cancer and the treatment options.
Remember, early detection is key for the best treatment outcomes.
Now is a great time to make an appointment with your physician to look for any suspicious growths. And don’t forget to regularly apply sunscreen when going outdoors, even in the fall and winter!
Explore more articles from VOM Magazine here: www.veteransoutreachministries.org/vom-magazine
