Three types of  skin cancer that you can easily spot:

1.  If you have a new, changing, asymmetric mole, then get it checked out!  It could be a malignant melanoma.  These moles should be removed by a surgeon.  If the margins are not cleared, malignant melanoma may return to the same location. 

2.  If you have an open sore that seeps, bleeds, or scabs over or a shiny, white area with diffused borders, or a pink growth with raised border, then get it checked out!  It could be a basal cell carcinoma which is the most common form of skin cancer.  This should be excised by a surgeon.

3.  If you have a pink or red scaly spot that will not heal, get this checked out!  This could be the second most common type of skin cancer ~ squamous cell carcinoma.  Physicians may treat this by scraping away the cancer, but often they will recommend it be excised by a surgeon. 

Four simple detection methods:

1.  Monthly Self Checks & Annual Dermatologist Checks:  Monthly, review your body marks from head to toe to see if you spot anything new or anything that has changed.  In most cases, if you catch a melanoma within a year of development, the treatment will be successful.  So, make an annual dermatologist appointment for a professional look over to see if you have any new or changing growths.

2.  Enlist your hairdressers help:   It is nearly impossible for you to self-check your scalp and the hairdresser is the one person you see regularly throughout the year.  Ask your hairdresser to let you know if they see any irregularities on your scalp. 

3.  Repeat offenders may be trouble:  If you have a spot that shows up in the same place over and over and will not heal, there could be more to it than meets the eye.  Don’t brush it off to a pimple or wart, get it checked out. 

4.  Documentation:  It is difficult to know if a mole or spot has changed from month to month or year to year because often, you are looking at it all the time.  Document each irregularity with a flash less photo.  Get as close as possible to the mole or spot when taking the picture to document the detail.  Label the picture as to where on your body and when the picture was taken.  Refer to the digital documentation during your self checks, if needed. 

Skin cancer is a threatening killer.  If you notice any change or are concerned about any spot, contact your physician today.  Often dermatologists are booked for months in advance … don’t forget there are other physicians trained to treat this as well. 

Dr. Jerry Guanciale is a Board Certified General Surgeon and a Fellowed Cosmetic Surgeon.  With over 17 years of surgical experience, Dr. Guanciale is very experienced with skin cancer detection, removal, and repair.  Call the office to schedule an appointment today:  843.995.5005  

Tags: skin cancer

This entry was posted on Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 7:13 am and is filed under Special Events, skin care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.