Skin cancer screening is the process of examining your skin for cancer and it’s recommended that you perform a skin examination regularly. With a skin cancer screening, your dermatologist will be able to better treat and prevent skin cancer and any other conditions with visible signs on the skin.
5 Reasons to Have a Skin Cancer Screening
1: Early Detection of Cancer
The earlier skin cancer is detected, the more likely treatment will be successful. Early detection of moles, spots, or blemishes on the skin will allow your dermatologist to diagnose and remove skin cancer before it can grow and spread to other areas. The most common cancerous growths found on the body are basal and squamous cell carcinomas, two of the most easily treatable when caught early.
2: Detect All Types of Cancer
When a dermatologist performs a skin cancer screening, they will look for all cancerous growths. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas often occur in the human body, but other skin cancers can occur. These include melanoma, which is less common but far more dangerous than other skin cancers as it spreads and proliferates when left untreated. Different types of skin cancer may look similar to the naked eye, so a cancer screening will definitively tell the difference for the right treatment.
3: Cancer Prevention
Skin cancer screening is the best way to prevent skin cancer, as the doctor can pinpoint any suspicious moles or freckles and remove them before they can transform into malignant melanomas. It’s much more challenging to do this once cancer appears since it will have spread, making it harder to remove surgically without risking damaging surrounding tissue. In addition, skin cancer screening allows the doctor to see if there are any other problems with the skin or body.
4: Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer screening will also reduce the chances of an individual being diagnosed with melanoma. Melanoma is a skin cancer that affects skin color and tends to turn black or blue. It is caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun, which can cause damage to DNA. Most people diagnosed with melanoma are between 50 and 80, but younger people can be affected if they have had three or more blistering sunburns.
5: Check All Areas of the Body
At-home skin checks are important and helpful, but it can be difficult to properly examine areas like your back and scalp on your own. Skin cancer can develop in any area of the body and a skin cancer screening with your dermatologists will ensure no spot on your body goes unchecked.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have not examined your skin for some time, schedule an appointment for a skin cancer screening at Trillium Creek Dermatology at one of our convenient locations in Brunswick, Medina, Strongsville, Wadsworth, or Wooster. Our dermatologists use state-of-the-art technology and will provide the most comfortable and informative examination with your skin screening.