Who Should Have an Annual Skin Check and Other Important Skin Cancer Prevention Steps

It happens every year: More people are diagnosed with skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Fortunately, when skin cancer is diagnosed early, a board-certified dermatologist such as Dr. Oswald Mikell of Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry, with three locations in Hilton Head, Okatie, and Beaufort, South Carolina, can remove the abnormal growths to protect your skin and your health.

An annual skin check is a critical part of skin cancer prevention. While the American Cancer Society doesn’t publish specific guidelines for skin checks, if you have a history of tanning, sunburns, or skin cancer, you should have an annual skin check and should keep an eye on your skin at home, checking it at least once a month.

What is an annual skin check?

Your primary care provider might include a skin check during your annual physical exam. However, at Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry, Dr. Mikell provides comprehensive skin exams to study your skin and identify any new moles, growths, or other changes that could indicate abnormalities.

Dr. Mikell uses a special light to highlight any irregularities. A professional skin check ensures that your back and other hard-to-see body parts are carefully assessed for signs of skin cancer.

What are the signs of skin cancer?

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer. These cancers often develop as small red nodules or scaly patches. The spots may be raised or ooze or bleed easily.

Basal cell carcinomas may also look like a brown scar or flesh-toned lesion or sore. Squamous cell carcinoma sometimes forms as a rough-textured lump on your skin. These growths tend to grow slowly and won’t go away as a skin rash does.

Melanomas are less common but more dangerous and look like abnormal moles. Melanoma is identified by the ABCDEs:

• Asymmetry: Melanomas aren't perfectly round like healthy moles

• Borders: Melanomas have uneven, bumpy borders

• Color: Normal moles are usually brownish and a solid color while melanomas are mottled and may appear red, blue, or black

• Diameter: Melanomas are generally larger than a pencil eraser

• Evolving: Healthy moles don’t change size or shape, but melanoma can get bigger or change shape or color over time

If you check your skin at home every month, you should notice if any new moles or growths develop or if any of your moles change.

What should I do if I find a suspicious mole or growth?

If you find a suspicious mole or other skin growth, you should make an appointment at Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry. Dr. Mikell will examine your skin and take biopsies to test any skin irregularities for cancerous or precancerous cells.

If your growth is cancerous, your dermatologist offers a variety of removal procedures including excision, cryotherapy, and Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is a delicate excision procedure where the growth or mole is removed one layer at a time to reduce trauma and damage to your surrounding healthy tissue.

Can I prevent skin cancer?

While some people are genetically predisposed to skin cancer, you can take steps to protect your skin. The most important thing you can do to prevent skin cancer is to eliminate your exposure to the harmful UV rays in sunlight.

Some of the steps you can take to reduce your sun exposure include:

• Staying indoors between 10 am and 4 pm

• Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30, even if you’re not going to be outdoors much

• Applying sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside

• Reapplying sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming

• Wearing sunglasses that block UV light and wearing a broad-brimmed hat

• Never using tanning beds or sun lamps

As much as you might like the look of a tan, it’s the first sign of sun damage. You can use alternative artificial tanning products to replicate a sun-kissed glow without the damaging effects of sunlight.

You should also have your dermatologist check your skin on a routine basis. Schedule an appointment today by calling the practice.