Premier Plastic Surgery and Dermatology
Dermatologist PA - Skin Cancer Prevention, Detection, and Treatment
- Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer.
- It typically develops on sun-exposed areas of the body; however, skin cancer may also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight.
- The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year.
- The three most common forms of skin cancer are: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Malignant Melanoma.
- Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions.
- It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans who live to age 65 will develop skin cancer at least once in their lifetime.
- It has also been estimated that over 1 million new cases of skin cancer occur annually.
- Over the past 31 years, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined.
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer; an estimated 2.8 million are diagnosed annually in the US.8 BCCs are rarely fatal, but can be highly disfiguring if allowed to grow.
- Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears or scalp. It may appear as a pearly or waxy bump, or a flat, flesh-colored, pink or brown scar-like lesion.
- For images of basal cell carcinoma, click here
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. An estimated 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the US, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths.
- Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, lips, ears and hands. Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.
- SCC may arise from pre-cancerous lesions known as Actinic Keratoses (AK).
- AK is the most common precancer; it affects more than 58 million Americans, and appears as a pink or red scaling scab-like lesion.
- Approximately 65 percent of all squamous cell carcinomas arise in lesions that previously were diagnosed as actinic keratoses.
- For images of squamous cell carcinoma, click here
- One person dies of melanoma every hour.
- Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in a large congenital mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma in men most often appears on the trunk, head or neck; in women it is most commonly found on the lower legs.
- Melanoma may appear as a large brownish spot with darker speckles, as a mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds, or as a small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black.
- Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of Skin Cancer:
- You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
- Daily use of an SPF of at least 30, with UVA & UVB protection and frequent reapplication is imperative.
- Checking your skin monthly for suspicious changes can help to detect skin cancer at its earliest stages.
- Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful skin cancer treatment.
- Periodic Total Body Skin Exams, or mole screenings, by skilled dermatology providers is an excellent way to ensure that your skin is healthy.
- For images of melanoma, click here
- The treatment of skin cancers depends on the type of cancer, location of the cancer, age of the patient, as well as some other factors.
- Your dermatology provider is an expert at treating skin cancers and may offer you one of several treatments including: topical medications, surgical excision, or electrodessication and curettage (destroying the cancerous tissue and then scraping it away). If you need a dermatologist PA residents can trust, contact us today.
Considering a skincare treatment, but not sure where to begin? For a dermatologist PA friends and family can recommend, turn to the services of Premier Plastic Surgery and Dermatology. We are a full service treatment center and offer a full staff of expertly trained technicians. If you can't wait another day to see a dermatologist, PA residents can rely on the Premier Plastic Surgery and Dermatology team.
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