Skin Cancer Screening
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, with 3.5 million new cases being diagnosed every year; 80% of these skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas, 16% are squamous cell carcinomas and 4% are melanomas. 1 in every 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. With our 360 days of sunshine per year, Arizona ranks #2 (behind Australia) for the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world. Therefore, it is important to have a full body skin examination performed by a trained dermatologist every year to screen for skin cancers.
Melanoma can be a deadly form of skin cancer. However, if detected early, before the tumor has penetrated the skin, it can be 99% curable. In advanced cases of melanoma, survival falls to 15%. Melanoma risk is increasing; recent studies show the risk of development of melanoma to be 1 in 62. With a history f 5 or more blistering sunburns, this risk increases to 1 in 31. Regular sunscreen use and sun-protective behavior along with regular skin checks by a qualified professional are important ways to reduce your risk of developing melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. An estimated 2.8 millions cases are diagnosed in the US every year. Signs and symptoms of basal cell carcinomas include: a non-healing sore, pink shiny bump, a scar-like area, and a reddish patch. Depending on their location and size, basal cell carcinomas may be treated with topical medications, electrodessication and curettage, surgical excision, and Mohs surgery. Basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal but can be highly disfiguring if not treated in a timely fashion.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer in the US, with an estimated 700,000 cases diagnosed per year. Signs of squamous cell carcinoma are similar to basal cell carcinoma: non-healing sores, pink scaly lesions. As squamous cell carcinoma sometimes metastasizes, it is important to treat squamous cell carcinoma in a timely fashion. Treatment options include electrodessication and cautery, surgical excision, and Mohs surgery.
For more information please visit the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Melanoma can be a deadly form of skin cancer. However, if detected early, before the tumor has penetrated the skin, it can be 99% curable. In advanced cases of melanoma, survival falls to 15%. Melanoma risk is increasing; recent studies show the risk of development of melanoma to be 1 in 62. With a history f 5 or more blistering sunburns, this risk increases to 1 in 31. Regular sunscreen use and sun-protective behavior along with regular skin checks by a qualified professional are important ways to reduce your risk of developing melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. An estimated 2.8 millions cases are diagnosed in the US every year. Signs and symptoms of basal cell carcinomas include: a non-healing sore, pink shiny bump, a scar-like area, and a reddish patch. Depending on their location and size, basal cell carcinomas may be treated with topical medications, electrodessication and curettage, surgical excision, and Mohs surgery. Basal cell carcinomas are rarely fatal but can be highly disfiguring if not treated in a timely fashion.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer in the US, with an estimated 700,000 cases diagnosed per year. Signs of squamous cell carcinoma are similar to basal cell carcinoma: non-healing sores, pink scaly lesions. As squamous cell carcinoma sometimes metastasizes, it is important to treat squamous cell carcinoma in a timely fashion. Treatment options include electrodessication and cautery, surgical excision, and Mohs surgery.
For more information please visit the Skin Cancer Foundation.
