Skin cancer can be a frightening diagnosis. Anyone who spends time out in the sun is at risk of skin cancer. The effects of sun damage are cumulative too, so your risk of skin cancer increases as you get older.
When To See a Skin Cancer Specialist
You should seek out the expertise of a skin cancer specialist if you notice:
Scaly patches of skin that don’t resolve
A mole with a diameter greater than 6 mm
A mole with an irregular, ragged border
An asymmetrical mole
A mole that itches or bleeds
A mole that has changed in size, color, or shape
A mole that has recurred after previous removal
You should also seek out a skin cancer specialist if you:
Have fair skin
Burn easily
Spend an extended period in the sun
Have a family history of skin cancer
Treatment of Skin Cancer
Your dermatologist will first do a biopsy of the tissue or mole, to determine if it is precancerous or cancerous. Treatment for skin cancer may include:
Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the area
Curettage and desiccation, which uses implements to scrape the area, followed by an electric current to kill cancerous cells
Mohs micrographic surgery, which removes cancerous tissue layer-by-layer, with each layer examined under a microscope
Radiation therapy kills cancerous cells
Surgical excision, which removes the cancerous tissue completely
Medicated topical creams, which improve your body’s cancer-fighting properties
Chemotherapy, which can be combined with surgery and radiation for more serious skin cancer cases
Prevention of Skin Cancer
Remember that you can do a lot to help prevent skin cancer. Always:
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 daily
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 if you are outside for a long period
Avoid direct sunlight between the hours of 10 AM to 4 PM, when UV rays are the most harmful
Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses
To learn more about when to see a skin cancer specialist, talk with an expert. Call Dr. Amr Agha at Agha Advanced Dermatology, with two locations in Acworth, and Douglasville, GA. You can reach him in either location by calling (770) 739-7546, so call now.