Most people have heard about the dangers associated with skin cancer. Most people are also familiar with the fact that if detected early, skin cancer is very curable. So, more and more people are taking the time to do at-home mole checks. They are also coming to our office for annual or biannual full-body skin examination. All of these things are good and have contributed to a reduction in the number of fatalities connected to skin cancer.
There are certain steps that you can take to improve the effectiveness of routine mole checks. You need to jot down any changes that you’ve seen in your moles over the past few weeks or months. Pay special attention to moles that have grown, that constantly itch or that are bleeding. Dermatologists agree that the patient is the one who is in the best position of noticing changes to their moles and pointing these out to the doctor.
When you come to our office for an examination, you’re going to need to be patient. For some people, having a complete body examination of this sort can feel uncomfortable. However, 10 to 15 minutes of feeling uncomfortable is well worth it, especially if it saves your life.
Patience is needed, especially if you have a lot of moles on your body. The more moles you have, the longer it is going to take to examine your body. If there is something that catches the dermatologist’s eye, they might take a biopsy of the area and look at it under a microscope.
During your examination, do not be afraid to ask our team of professionals what to look for during your own at home mole checks. Ask them what signs or symptoms of skin cancer most people overlook when they are doing their self-examination.
Since a lot of patients are not informed about what they need to look for, they might believe myths or misconceptions about what makes a mole potentially dangerous. They may mistakenly think that all raised moles are dangerous or that every single mole that itches is cancerous. This is not the case.
Speaking to the team at Dr. Yeoman’s Dermatology Office will provide you with the information you need to keep you safe. It will give you what you need to review the condition of your skin during mole checks and take steps to prevent or to catch skin cancer early. Our offices are located in Poplar Bluff and Paragould. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more.
