Should You Get a Skin Cancer Screening?

How a skin cancer screening from your dermatologists in Colorado Springs, CO, can save your life

Skin cancer can be disfiguring, and it can even kill you. Malignant melanoma is a very serious type of skin cancer that can be fatal. Fortunately, you and your dermatologist can help prevent skin cancer, starting with a skin cancer screening.

Drs. Brett Matheson, Christopher Sartori, and Martin Harris at Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center of Colorado Springs, in Colorado Springs, CO, provide comprehensive skincare services, including skin cancer screenings.

So, who should get a skin cancer screening? It turns out, that everyone can benefit from a skin cancer screening, but especially people who:

• Are fair skinned, with light hair and blue eyes
• Spend a lot of time out in the sun
• Are aging and developing dark spots on their skin

During a skin cancer screening, your dermatologist will record a thorough medical history, including any medications you take. Some medications can make you more sensitive to the sun, including certain types of antibiotics, or if you use retinol products on your skin.

Then, your dermatologist will perform a thorough examination of your skin, especially your moles or any other blemishes you have. Changes in moles can be an early warning sign of skin cancer.

If any moles are suspicious, your dermatologist can take a small sample of the mole for biopsy. A biopsy of tissue will determine whether the mole is benign, precancerous, or cancerous.

If you do have skin cancer, there are effective ways of treating skin cancer and your dermatologist can discuss these with you.

Remember that you can do a lot to prevent skin cancer if you:

• Apply sunscreen of at least SPF 15 every day, even if you are going out for a short period
• Apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 if you are staying outside for a long time, or if you have fair skin or burn easily

You should also do a self-check of your skin regularly, looking for any moles that:

• Have a diameter greater than 6 millimeters
• Are not well-defined and have ragged, irregular borders
• Are asymmetrical or irregularly-shaped
• Are painful, itchy, red, or swollen
• Have recurred after a previous mole was removed

To learn more about the importance of skin cancer screening, and how it can save your life, call Drs. Brett Matheson, Christopher Sartori, and Martin Harris at Skin Cancer & Dermatology Center of Colorado Springs, in Colorado Springs, CO. You can reach them in the office by calling (719) 574-0310, so call now.