Skin Cancer: Early detection saves lives
More than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year and account for nearly half of all cancers in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). A staggering one in five people will develop skin cancer over the course of their lifetime. The rate of skin cancer is even higher in Idaho with so many year-round outdoor activities, the higher elevation which exposes people to more intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and the agricultural economy.
Skin Cancers Screenings Throughout May
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Bingham Healthcare Dermatology wants to encourage annual skin screenings by offering free Sun Bum Sunscreen and lip balm for those who schedule their screenings throughout the month of May. Call (208) 782-2930 for more information and to schedule your free screening.
Three Main Skin Cancer
Basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and melanoma are the three primary types of skin cancers, and are distinguished by the types of skin cells in which they grow and their physical appearance. These three types of skin cancers have one thing in common though—you need to catch them early.
Approximately 75% of all skin cancer deaths are from melanoma, which is a cancer of the pigment producing cells in the skin, known as melanocytes. The ACS reported in 2019 that new cases of melanoma are expected to increase by about 5.7%, from 91,270 news cases in 2018 to a projected estimate of 96,479 new cases in 2019. This is not necessarily bad news. More diagnoses could mean that people are generally becoming more educated about the warning signs for melanoma, as well as getting screened. Perhaps even more hopeful is the death rate for the disease is expected to decrease by 22% in 2019.
Melanoma begins on the surface of the skin where it is easy to see and treat. In fact, this most serious type of skin cancer is always curable when it’s found in its very early stages. If given time to grow, melanoma can grow down into the skin, ultimately reaching the blood and lymphatic vessels, and spread around the body (metastasize), causing life-threatening illness.
Early Detection is Key
Once skin cancers get beyond their area of local destruction and into the bloodstream and lymph nodes, that’s when the trouble begins. “Ninety-nine percent of the game is knowing what your skin looks like normally, by noticing changes in your skin, you can help your doctor find skin cancer before it turns deadly.”
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
You should examine your skin head-to-toe once a month, looking for any suspicious lesions. Self-exams can help you identify potential skin cancers early, when they can almost always be completely cured. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor:
- Any change on your skin, especially in the size or color of a mole, growth, or spot, or a new growth (even if it has no color).
- Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or a change in the way a bump or nodule looks.
- A sore that doesn’t heal.
- The spread of pigmentation (color) beyond its border, such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark.
- A change in sensation, such as itchiness, tenderness, or pain.
Know the ABCDES of Skin Cancer
In addition, physicians have developed a strategy for early recognition of the disease—the ABCDEs—which help people to identify a potentially suspicious lesion.
A – Asymmetry. If you draw an imaginary line through the mole, both halves should be even.
B – Border. The borders of early skin cancer tend to be uneven.
C – Color. Seeing a number of colors on one mole is an early warning sign.
D – Diameter. Melanoma is usually larger in diameter than ¼ inch (6 mm)—the size of a pencil eraser.
E – Evolving. When a mole is evolving, see a doctor. Any changes in size, shape, color, elevation, or any new symptom, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, points to danger.
Prepare for the Summer. Get Your Skin Checked.
Your Eastern Idaho Skin Care Resources
If are experiencing any difficulties with your skin, or would like to schedule an appointment for a skin cancer screening, please reach out to our skincare specialist.
Julia, a skincare specialist, has the knowledge and skills required to help you with all your skincare needs. Julia sees patients on the first floor of the Bingham Memorial Medical Plaza in Blackfoot and at the Physicians and Surgeons Clinic of Pocatello. To schedule a consultation, call her Blackfoot office at (208) 782-2930 or the Pocatello office at (208) 233-4455.
Our content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
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