Dermatologist in Colorado Springs, CO.

Skin cancer screening in Colorado Springs, CO is an important part of your routine health care. At Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center with offices in Colorodo Springs, Pueblo, and Trinidad, CO, our dermatologists can not only give you a skin cancer screening but show you how to do self-examination between regular visits.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Some estimates put the figure as high as five million. It is probably due to people living longer and getting more sunshine that the figures continue to rise. Of the five million, between two and eight thousand die every year. There are three types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinomas
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma

When you are doing your own self-examination, skin cancer screening in Colorado Springs, CO, the ABCDEs are what you should be looking for. These signs help you to identify melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. You should do your self exam monthly naked in front of a mirror. 

Asymmetry

When you are looking at a mole or lesion, and you divide it in half, if both sides are the same, it is symmetrical and probably not something to be concerned about. If the two sides are different, it is asymmetrical and that is something that is worrisome. 

Border 

A normal mole will have smooth borders, but a cancerous mole or lesion will have irregular edges. They may appear scalloped or appear to be grooved. 

Color

If something that is growing on your skin is more than one color, this is not a good sign. It can be two or three different colors; brown, tan and black. As it grows it may also show some red or blue. This needs to be checked out as soon as possible. 

Diameter or dark

Size is an important factor. If a mole is larger than the eraser on a pencil or significantly darker than any other moles that you have, it is worth having it looked at. Cancerous lesions come in all sizes, so do keep an eye even on small ones. 

Evolving

Things rarely stay the same and moles are much the same, especially if they are cancerous. If you notice significant changes in size or color or if a mole starts to bleed, is itchy or gets crusty, get on the phone and make an appointment today. 

When you are in need of a skin cancer screening in Colorado Springs, CO or Pueblo or Trinidad, CO, you can count on the board-certified dermatologists at Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center. To make an appointment, give one of our offices a call. 

• Colorado Springs, CO: (719) 574-0310
• Pueblo, CO: (719) 564-5544
• Trinidad, CO: (800) 290-2478