Skin Cancer: Find It, Prevent It, Cure It

America has been experiencing an increase in skin cancer incidence over the past several decades. There are over 1,000,000 new cases of Basal Cell Carcinoma in the USA alone every year. The good news is that we can cure almost all skin cancers. The vast majority respond to minor office surgical procedures with excellent cosmetic results. The key is finding them.

The images and information on this page in no way can substitute for a physician’s exam. They are here as an educational guide only.

Some general guidelines for early detection include:

• A new pigmented lesion or “mole,” particularly in persons over the age of 40 should be considered for evaluation by a dermatologist.
• The same applies to moles that are changing color or shape.
• Things that bleed, scab, scale or itch should be checked.
• Persistent red scaly spots may degenerate into skin cancer.
• Follow your ABCDs (see below).

Sunscreens are a big help and should be used by people of all ages. We recommend an SPF number of 15 or higher. Broad spectrum sunscreens that block both UVA and UVB rays are best. Sunblocks should be reapplied every two hours while exposed. Use them on cloudy days too; even on a cloudy day at least 50% of the harmful ultraviolet light penetrates the clouds.

Below are some images of spots and lesions suspicious for melanoma skin cancer. Remember ABCD.

Here are some examples of basal carcinomas, the most common form of skin cancer with over 1,000,000 cases per year in the US.

Basal Cell Carcinomas

Here are some pre-cancers, called actinic keratoses or solar keratoses. most of these are just anoying, but occaisionally one can change into an invasive skin cancer, so it is best to remove them.

Actinic Keratoses

Here are some squamous cell carcinomas of the skin. These should be removed because they can sometimes spread.

Squamous Cell Carcinomas

We offer state of the art treatment of skin cancer including Mohs Micrographic Surgery, were frozen section microscopy allows minimal surgery with as sure as possible tumor removal.

Self-Examination

Skin cancer has a 95% cure rate when detected early, and a key to early detection is regular self-examinations of your skin. Everyone, not only those with an increased risk of developing skin cancer, should perform regular skin examinations. Examining your skin for suspicious moles and other lesions could save your life.

To perform a self-examination, you will need a:

• Full-length mirror
• Handheld mirror
• Well-lit room that offers privacy

Examining your skin consists of standing in front of a full-length mirror to visually examine your body for signs of skin cancer and using a handheld mirror to view areas that cannot be seen without a second mirror. It is important to visually inspect your entire body as skin cancer can occur anywhere, not only on areas frequently exposed to the sun. Be sure to check your back, scalp, underarms, genitalia, palms, soles, and areas between the toes and fingers. When examining your scalp, it may help to systematically part the hair to check the entire scalp. An illustrated guide that shows how to examine your skin is shown on the right.

What to look for. You should become familiar with your birthmarks, blemishes, and moles so you know what they look like and can spot changes. As you examine your skin, look for changes in the size, color, shape, or texture of a mark on your skin. Signs of skin cancer include:

• Sore that never fully heals
• Translucent growth with rolled edges
• Brown or black streak underneath a nail
• Cluster of slow-growing, shiny pink or red lesions
• Waxy-feeling scar
• Flat or slightly depressed lesion that feels hard to the touch

Pay special attention to moles, especially one that has recently changed, bleeds, or itches. When looking at moles, keep in mind the ABCDs of Melanoma Detection:

Asymmetry – Does one half of a mole look different from the other?

Border Irregularity – Is the edge (border) of the mole ragged, notched or blurred?

Color – Does the mole have variety of hues and colors within the same lesion?

Diameter – What is the size of the mole? While melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser) in diameter when diagnosed, they can be smaller.

If you notice a mole different from others, or which changes, itches, or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6 millimeters, you should see a dermatologist.

If you find a suspicious lesion. Any lesion that resembles one described above or that you believe may be skin cancer should be examined by a dermatologist. Don’t delay in contacting a dermatologist; skin cancer has a high cure rate when detected early, and early treatment may help minimize the surgical scars.

The following illustrates how to examine your skin for signs of skin cancer. Information about what to look for and details on how to examine your skin are described below.

Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then right and left sides with arms raised. Women should look under their breasts.

Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms, and palms.

Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and on the soles. If you cannot see all parts of your feet, use a handheld mirror.

Examine the backs of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part your hair to examine the entire scalp.

Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.