Fayetteville, GA dermatologists

Fayetteville, GA dermatologists are urging people to have their skin checked for cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and it can often be cured if caught early. In this blog post, we will discuss what a skin cancer screening is, when you should have one done, and what skin cancer looks like. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about skin cancer like “Can skin cancer kill you?” and “Which skin cancer is most dangerous?”

What Is Skin Cancer Screening?

Before we dive into the common questions folks tend to have about screen cancer, we need to cover how skin cancer is detected. Skin cancer screenings are visual examinations of a person’s skin by a health care provider checking for birthmarks, moles, or unusual markings with various shapes, colors, and textures. This process is to look for visual markers of cancer, but does not diagnose cancer. A diagnosis comes only after a biopsy of a suspected cancerous area.

When Should You Have a Skin Cancer Screening?

For the most part, it’s wise to begin screening for skin cancer starting in your 20s or 30s; however, there are certain risk factors that may encourage you to seek cancer screening services sooner, such as a family history of cancer, lots of sun exposure, or moles. Most dermatologists recommend regular, annual full body skin exams to look for the presence of suspicious moles, discolored areas, or areas of skin with strange texture.

What Do They Look For in a Skin Cancer Screening?

During a skin cancer screening, Fayetteville, GA dermatologists will be looking for abnormalities in the skin, paying special attention to moles and marks on the skin. There are three main kinds of skin cancer that screening will detect: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma cancer. However, there are other, rarer types of skin cancer that may occur as well, including:

  • Kaposi’s sarcoma
  • Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC)
  • Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
  • Sebaceous carcinoma
  • Extramammary Paget’s Disease (EMPD)
  • Or undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma

Which Skin Cancer Is the Most Dangerous?

Of the three types of cancer, melanoma is the most dangerous and tends to cause more deaths than the other two types of cancer. This is because it is far likelier to spread than basal cell or squamous cell cancer.

types of skin cancer, skin cancer screening, GA

What Does Skin Cancer Look Like?

Skin cancer can visibly appear in unique ways because every person’s skin composition is unique. However, the three primary forms of skin cancer you will need to look out for are basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) ranges in appearance from an open sore that will not heal to shiny nodules on the skin to a differently pigmented patch of skin.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) also ranges dramatically in appearance—but typically consists of a scaly, irregular patch of skin that may persistently crust over and bleed. It also sometimes appears as a wart-like or horn-shaped growth on the skin.

Melanoma is typically darker in pigmentation than the surrounding skin and asymmetrical, though it may also be amelanotic (or pinkish/reddish-purple in coloring).

Growths associated with skin cancer can also be broken into categories based on their symmetry, the nature of their border, color, diameter, and if the growth is evolving in shape, color, or size. This helps dermatologists further determine what treatment plan is best for each patient.

Can Skin Cancer Kill You?

Yes, if not detected early, skin cancer can prove to be fatal—especially melanoma. A patient’s prognosis for skin cancer greatly depends on the stage at which the cancer is detected, the type of cancer, and whether or not it has metastasized. (When a cancer cell has metastasized, it breaks free from a malignant tumor and infects other areas of the body by way of the bloodstream or lymphatic system.)

Where Is Skin Cancer Most Common?

Skin cancer can happen anywhere on your body—but this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to invest in a full-length mirror just yet. Here are some of the most common areas of the body Fayetteville, GA dermatologists will treat for skin cancer:

  1. The scalp: Particularly balding individuals or those with thin hair can be vulnerable to cancer of the scalp. If you’re worried about any type of skin cancer developing on your scalp, check your head thoroughly using a blow dryer or ask your barber to keep an eye out for anything unusual.
  2. The Face: Exposed to UV light during most hours of the day, your face—especially your nose—is particularly vulnerable to skin cancer. Typically, skin cancer found on the face is not melanoma but basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas, which are generally easier to treat.
  3. Ears: Especially for those with shorter haircuts, ears are a hotspot for skin cancer. This can be avoided by placing sunscreen on your ears and/or tucking them into a sun hat.
  4. Hands: The most common place squamous cell carcinoma is found is on the hands. These can sometimes go unnoticed or get written off as something that will “work itself out.” Don’t put off seeing a dermatologist if you have a persistent skin issue! It could be squamous cell carcinoma.
  5. Neck: The neck is often overlooked by those who apply daily SPF to their face, and as such, it is a common area to find skin cancer on the body. The neck is often exposed to sunlight and is often forgotten when it comes time to apply sunscreen—so be sure to incorporate your neck into your morning skincare ritual as well!

How Can I Protect My Skin From Skin Cancer?

It is less likely that you will get skin cancer after one time being badly sunburned, but rather repeated prolonged exposure to the sun over time. If you’re worried about developing skin cancer, however, there are certain steps you can take to minimize your risk.

  1. Look for shade whenever possible, even if that means carrying an umbrella on a hot day.
  2. Wear a hat with a brim to protect your ears and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
  3. Applying sunscreen daily at a minimum to face, ears, and neck—especially if spending any amount of time outdoors.
  4. Reapplying sunscreen after exertion, swimming, or excessive sweating.
  5. Wear clothing that can block UVA and UVB rays over your arms and legs.
  6. Avoid indoor tanning.

Fayetteville, GA Dermatologists for Skin Cancer Screening

While it is estimated that about 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed annually in America, what is encouraging about this statistic is that people are increasingly becoming aware of the risks of skin cancer. By protecting your skin by using SPF of 30 or greater, protective clothing, and shade seeking, it is possible to encourage your skin to continue to resiliently perform its highly important job on our bodies: protecting us from the outside world.

Are you looking for Fayetteville, GA dermatologists to perform your next skin cancer screening? Contact National HealthCare Center today to book an appointment!