What to Expect During a Skin Cancer Screening

Skin cancer is the most common type, with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed in the United States yearly. A skin cancer screening is a quick, painless exam performed by a dermatologist or other healthcare provider to look for signs of skin cancer. Skin cancer screenings Fort Worth are important because they can help find skin cancer early when it is most treatable.

Most skin cancers are found on the face, neck, arms, and hands, but they can occur anywhere on the body. During a skin cancer screening, a healthcare provider will carefully examine your skin for abnormal growths or changes in existing moles or freckles. They may also use a tool called a dermatoscope to look closely at suspicious skin areas.

If anything unusual is found, the healthcare provider may take a biopsy of the area to confirm whether or not it is cancer. A biopsy is a simple procedure in which a small piece of skin is removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis. After the analysis, the healthcare provider will discuss the results with you and develop a treatment plan if necessary.

Benefits of having a skin cancer screening

These are the benefits you will enjoy:

Catch cancer early

When you catch cancer early, it will be easier to treat. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances are of beating it. Your doctor will be able to detect cancer in its early stages and come up with an effective treatment plan. Some treatment options for early-stage skin cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Reduce your risk of dying from skin cancer

If you have a skin cancer screening and catch the disease early, you will reduce your risk of dying. Skin cancer is fatal in less than 5 percent of cases when it is caught early and treated properly.

Reduce your risk of developing skin cancer

If you have a skin cancer screening and catch the disease early, you will also reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Early detection and treatment can help to prevent cancer from spreading and growing. It means that you will have a better chance of avoiding surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy in the future.

Detect other health problems

A skin cancer screening can also help to detect other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid problems. This is because many of these conditions can cause changes in the skin that can be detected during a skin cancer screening.

Peace of mind

If you have a skin cancer screening and the results are negative, you will know that you don’t have skin cancer. This can help to ease your anxiety and worry. And when the cancer is detected early, you can be treated before it can spread.

How often should you have a skin cancer screening?

The recommendation is that everyone over 18 should have a skin cancer screening at least once a year. If you have risk factors for skin cancer, such as fair skin, a history of sun exposure, or a family history of the disease, you should have screened more often.

If you are concerned about skin cancer, talk to your doctor at Northstar Dermatology about getting a skin cancer screening. Early detection and treatment is the best way to improve your chances of beating the disease.

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