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Skin Cancer Screening and Services
Skin cancer represents the most common malignancy in
humans. The number of skin cancers occurring annually
in the
United States has been increasing at an alarming
rate. The three most common skin cancers are Basal
Cell Carcinoma
(BCC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), and Malignant
Melanoma. Risk factors for developing skin cancer
include skin type (i.e., fair versus dark complected),
amount
and nature of accumulated sun exposure over one's
lifetime (especially during childhood), personal
and family
skin cancer history, and past medical history. Where
one lives (sunnier climates are higher risk), one's
occupation, and one's chosen recreational activities
also contribute to assessing risk for skin cancer.
Many
skin cancers develop as a new spot. There are
some fairly reliable signs for which we (the
patient and the Dermatology Skin Cancer and
Laser Center staff) should be on the lookout.
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas often
start as a new, non-healing spot, usually in
sun exposed areas (such as the face or the back
of the hand). We advise our patients to have
any new spots checked if the don't resolve completely
within 3 weeks, especially if they bleed from
time to time. Melanoma is a skin cancer that
can occur anywhere on the skin that is almost
always dark in color. Visible features that
distinquish melanoma from a normal mole (melanocytic
nevus) have come to be known as the "ABC's
of melanoma". "A" stands
for assymetry of the spot; "B" for
border irregularities; "C" for color
variations within and surrounding the spot;
"D" for the diameter; and "E"
for elevation or topographical characteristics.
The Dermatology, Skin Cancer and
Laser Center strives
to help patients develop a good understanding of these
risk factors. We encourage use of our educational materials
and make it simple to have regular skin cancer screening
exams with our recall system. Through these efforts,
we attempt to minimize the risk for skin cancer in our
patients and for those who develop skin cancer, we can
treat them early, in the best possible way.
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