Skin cancer of all kinds, including malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, continues to increase at an alarming rate. More than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed in the United States annually. Current estimates indicate that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
By the end of this year, it is estimated that there will be 131,810 new cases of melanoma, 44,250 men and 32,000 women. By 2015, 1 in 50 Americans will develop melanoma in their lifetime.
About 75 percent of skin cancer deaths are from melanoma. On average, one American dies from melanoma every hour.
While men over the age of 50 are at a higher risk for developing melanoma, it is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old.

While we know that unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light, either in the form of sunlight or tanning beds, is the primary risk factor of skin cancer and that most skin cancers occur in sun-exposed areas, skin cancer in general, and malignant melanoma in particular can occur anywhere on the skin, including areas of the skin that are not exposed to ultraviolet light or areas that we frequently refer to as “Where the sun doesn’t shine.”

As is true with any cancer, the early detection of skin cancer in general and malignant melanoma especially is vitally important in order to have it removed in a timely manner and prevent its spread. For this reason and because skin cancers can, as mentioned, occur anywhere on the skin, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends periodic total body skin examinations by a dermatologist in addition to regular self-skin examinations.

A complete or total body skin examination means just that – a total examination of the scalp, face, nose and ears, neck, chest, abdomen, back, genital and perianal areas, arms, legs, hands, feet and nail beds. Here at Trillium Creek, we offer and recommend this annually to all of our patients, more often if you have recently been diagnosed with skin cancer. If you or any of your loved-ones have not had a total skin examination in recent memory, we encourage you to make an appointment today for one. Also, if you have a new mole, a mole that is changing or a sore that just won’t heal, we also strongly suggest that you have this evaluated as-soon-as-possible.