Is There a Right Time to Schedule Skin Cancer Screenings?

November 7, 2016

Cancer is a word that no one wants to think about. Just about everyone has a friend or family member who has dealt with cancer or who has died as the result of cancer. For this reason, people feel nervous when talking about skin cancer. The same nervousness may make them not want to go in for skin cancer screenings. They are worried that if they go in, the dermatologist is going to find that they have a form of cancer.

While those worries are well-founded, the truth is that the sooner a medical professional is able to identify cancer, the better the chances that they are going to be able to provide life-saving treatment. This is especially the case when talking about treatable cancers like skin cancer.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that people do a monthly head to toe self-examination. This will allow them to see any changes in their skin or any moles or lesions that might be cancerous or precancerous. When skin cancer is identified and removed early, it is almost always curable.

One of the benefits of doing a monthly self-exam is that you can quickly see any changes in your skin. This skin cancer check should be done so frequently that it becomes a habit for a person.

It is a good idea to first have a dermatological professional do a full-body exam to make sure that you don’t have any moles or freckles that are abnormal. After they do a full-body exam, you should be able to check yourself monthly in as little as 10 minutes. This is a small investment of time that could save your life.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. It is estimated that on an annual basis, more than 5 million people are diagnosed with a non-melanoma form of skin cancer. While this statistic can be startling, it is usually easy to cure if it is caught early and not allowed to progress. That being said, if skin cancer is not dealt with early, it can lead to horrible disfigurement and in some cases, death.

If during a self-examination you see a spot, contact our office immediately. Do not think that it’s not a big deal. It is good to talk to a physician like Dr. Yeoman who specializes in treating skin diseases. Any changes in moles or freckles can be the warning signs of skin cancer.

During your skin cancer screenings at our office, make sure to speak to our specialist about any moles or growths that you have seen during your self-exam. Our dermatologist may want to do a biopsy. If you have any questions about whether or not you are doing your self-exam properly, this would be the time to ask for any tips.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. Skin cancer is generally the easiest form of cancer to treat. When it is caught early, it is almost always curable. Take a few minutes and do a self-exam, and make sure to come to Dr. Yeoman’s Dermatology Office for annual or biannual full-body skin cancer screenings. Remember, a little bit of prevention can save your life. We have locations in Poplar Bluff and Paragould. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Filed Under: Blog

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