Skin Cancer is the most common variety of cancer in the United States. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetimes. Even more alarming, skin cancer has become increasingly common over recent years; as of 2016, one out of 54 people in this country is expected to develop invasive melanoma. This is partially attributable to the popularity of tanning salons and partially to climate change, since most skin cancer results from excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays. There can also be a genetic component in the development of skin cancer.

Preventing Skin Cancer

Your risk of developing skin cancer can be reduced by limiting your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and by using sunscreen when you are exposed. Because early detection is essential to preventing spread of the disease, it is important to make a habit of checking your body for any suspicious changes in your skin and to have regular examinations by a qualified dermatologist.

Skin Cancer Detection & Treatment

At Unique Dermatology & Wellness Center, we are well-prepared to screen you for skin cancer and to treat any cancerous lesions we discover. One reason it’s important to have your body checked by a professional dermatologist is that we are trained to detect skin cancer at its earliest, least obvious stages, when it is most treatable. Another reason is that, although most skin cancers occur on parts of the body that are frequently exposed to the sun (face, ears, chest, arms and hands), skin cancers can also occur where least expected, sometimes in places hard for the patient to see. Skin cancers can develop not only on the back, but on the scalp, in the groin, or on the soles of the feet.

Skin Cancer Screenings

When Dr. Dyan Harvey screens you for skin cancer, she is extremely thorough. She will look over your whole body, including your scalp, to discover any suspicious skin lesions or areas that appear to be precancerous. Precancerous lesions may be frozen with a simple spray. Any potential skin cancers will be biopsied to determine whether or not they are malignant. If a biopsy comes back positive for cancer, depending on its type and stage, it may require the removal of more damaged tissue, MOHS surgery, photodynamic therapy and/or the biopsy of a nearby lymph node to see whether the cancer has spread.

Common Types of Skin Cancer

There are several different kinds of skin cancer, some much more common than others. The types usually seen in our office are:

• Actinic Keratosis: Actinic keratoses (plural of keratosis) are usually considered precancerous...
• Basal Cell Carcinoma: Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs on sun-exposed areas of the body...
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Like most other types of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinomas are usually the result of overexposure to the sun...
• Melanoma: Melanoma, which can develop anywhere on the body, is much more dangerous than basal or squamous cell...

Less Common Types of Skin Cancer

Other, less common types of skin cancer include:

• Kaposi sarcoma: Kaposi sarcoma appears as dark red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes...
• Merkel cell carcinoma: Merkel cell carcinoma causes shiny nodules under the skin and in hair follicles...
• Sebaceous gland carcinoma: Sebaceous gland carcinoma is an aggressive type of cancer which originates in the oil glands and often appears on the eyelid.

Patients come to Unique Dermatology & Wellness Center for a variety of reasons, some cosmetic and some health-related. Whatever motivates you to consult with Dr. Harvey, be it wrinkles, thinning hair, acne, or weight loss, make sure to arrange for regular skin cancer screenings as well. Your sense of self-confidence and well-being are undeniably worthwhile goals, but nothing is more important than your health.