Millions of people around the world are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, but skin cancer is among the most treatable cancers if discovered early. The key to catching skin cancer before it spreads is performing self-exams at home and having skin cancer screenings performed regularly by a dermatologist.
At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Windermere, Florida, we are committed to fighting skin cancer and spreading awareness on how to prevent this disease. To learn more about skin cancer, or to schedule a skin cancer screening, contact Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today.
What Is Skin Cancer Screening?
Simply put, skin cancer screenings are full-body visual inspections of your skin by a dermatologist or family doctor. Exams are painless, no blood is drawn, and they can be done in under 30 minutes in most cases.
Why Do I Need a Skin Cancer Screening?
Having a skin cancer screening is the best method to ensure your skin is healthy and cancer-free.
Skin cancer can strike anyone, especially those who have spent too much time in the sun over the years.
Skin cancer affects about 20 percent of all Americans, with an estimated 3.5 million new cases diagnosed each year. People of various skin colors and types can get skin cancer, which does not discriminate by race.
There are many types of skin cancer and screenings can determine which type you may have. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. The good news is that early detection combined with treatment can cure most skin cancers 95 percent of the time. Even melanoma has a high cure rate if it’s detected early.
At Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center, Dr. Jeannette Hudgens and our friendly and compassionate team offer full-body cancer screenings in a comfortable setting. Dermatologists are trained to spot skin cancer and other skin diseases. Often your family doctor will send you to a dermatologist if your doctor suspects skin cancer may be an issue.
The Skin Cancer Foundation offers great information on what to expect during a skin cancer screening. Our staff at Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center is always ready to answer any questions you have about the screening process.
Here are some questions and answers about cancer screens:
What does a full-body exam mean?
Patients are asked to fully undress, but gowns are provided. We’ll make sure you feel comfortable. Remember, a full-body screening means just that. That’s because skin cancer can develop anywhere you have skin. That includes areas you might not associate with skin cancer. These include:
- Between your toes.
- Behind your ears.
- On your buttocks or in the groin area.
Can I wear makeup to a screening?
It’s best not to wear makeup or nail polish. This allows our doctor to better examine your skin. Women also may want to wear hair loosely. This allows us better access to the scalp to check that area for skin cancer.
How long do screenings take?
Most screenings last around 15 to 20 minutes.
What questions will I have to answer?
We will want to learn if you or your family has a history of skin cancer, which increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Other questions we’ll likely ask include:
- Do you visit indoor tanning salons? If so, how often?
- Do you regularly use sunscreen?
- What medications are you on?
Your answers to these questions help us provide you the best possible care.
Will I need a biopsy?
You may. If your exam reveals the potential of skin cancer, we can perform a biopsy to help determine if any growth is cancerous or benign. These are quick, easy and minimally painful procedures. Local anesthetic can be used if pain is an issue.
Remember, early detection is key in preventing skin cancer from becoming a serious medical problem.
We encourage all our patients to perform self-exams at home on a regular basis as well. If you notice a new mole or growth on your skin, or if an existing growth changes in appearance, it’s time to see a dermatologist.
Skin cancer can have deadly consequences if it’s not detected early enough. Don’t let that happen to you. Contact Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center today to schedule your skin cancer screening.
