As the days get longer, we spend more and more time in the garden, taking lunch outside, hiking or going to the lake for some fun in the sun. And it is this sun exposure that can be so difficult! It feels good and our bodies make vitamin D from it, but too much exposure to these UV rays can cause painful sunburns and, even worse, skin cancer. It’s the the most common type of cancer in the US.and last year 97,610 people were diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Sadly, 7,990 people died from melanoma last year as well. And yet, with early diagnosis and treatment, most types of skin cancer they have very high survival rates! Here in Apex Dermatologywe are thrilled to be a part of so many of these stories of survival in Northeast Ohio.
If you have a point that concerns you at the moment.
The sooner the better! Even melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, has a 93.5 survival rate if the cancer is detected and treated early! If you have a spot that looks worrisome, same-day skin cancer screening appointments are available. Do not wait!
Now let’s discuss the two main types of skin cancer tests:
- Skin cancer spot check: we check a spot, any time of the year, if you see a spot that shows any changes in the “ABCDEs” described below.
- Full Body Exams: A routine, annual check of the entire surface of your skin, from head to toe.
Let’s see how these tests are different, but complementary and necessary in the fight against skin cancer:
Spot screening for skin cancer is part of Apex.On-site inspection» program and is a targeted same-day appointment to evaluate a suspected lesion. It only takes about 5 minutes and is at your disposal if you notice a worrying spot on your skin. If you have noticed a spot that shows the ABCDE characteristics of skin cancer described below, you should call us at (833) 279-SKIN today to schedule a cancer screening:
- A for asymmetry: One part of the spot is larger or a different shape than the other. It is not symmetrical.
- B for borders: The border of the point is scalloped, ill-defined or irregular in any way.
- C for color: The spot has more than one color in different areas. For example, there are different shades of brown, black or brown. It can also have areas that are blue, red or white.
- D for diameter: The spot is larger than a pencil eraser (about 6mm). A cancerous spot may be smaller than this if it has any of the other ABCs or Es!
- E for Evolving: The point has changed or is changing. For example, it may grow, change color, outline or symmetry.
McKernan also recommends downloading Apex Dermatology Skin cancer risk assessment quiz. Although anyone with any skin type or tone can get skin cancer, some people do higher risk from others. People who spend a lot of time in the sun or have a history of sunburn are at particular risk, as are those with lighter skin tones and people who already have multiple moles or a family history of skin cancer.
If you’ve noticed a suspicious spot anywhere on your body, call (833) 279-SKIN to schedule a same-day skin cancer spot check. During this time, one of our dermatologists or doctors will examine the spot and can take certain actions during this 5-minute appointment.
McKernan says that the shape and nature of blood vessels at the lower level of the dermis may indicate different possible diagnoses. For example, if the suspicious spot is seen to have a tree-like blood vessel, it may indicate basal cell carcinoma. Corkscrew-shaped vessels may indicate melanoma. Comma-shaped blood vessels are characteristic of benign moles. If the skin cancer spot test indicates something concerning, we will begin the diagnostic process immediately during the appointment.
The most important benefit of getting a suspicious spot checked early is that early detection and treatment of skin cancer can save your life or the life of a loved one! Timely skin cancer treatment it can prevent skin cancer from spreading and becoming more difficult to treat. Vigilance is especially important for high risk individuals.
Plus, it’s on-demand speed dating. Usually, if you call us at (833) 279-SKIN anywhere in Northeast Ohio, same-day local skin cancer screenings can be arranged. We follow everyone American Academy of Dermatology guidelines on skin cancer spot checks.
The appointment usually only takes about 5 minutes to check this point. If we find nothing of concern, you can immediately return to your regularly scheduled activities.
You can even get a free skin cancer screening once a year on “Melanoma Monday” and during other community events and special promotional days.
If we find something during a routine skin cancer screening and a biopsy or excision is needed, the appointment will naturally take longer than 5 minutes. This extra time, however, is essential in the fight to diagnose skin cancer and treat it quickly. If this is the case, we will advise you on the next steps for treatment and set up follow-up appointments to get the ball rolling.
Talking about full body exams, this is another important but routine appointment you should get every year to check for spots you may not have noticed or be able to see because they may have developed in inconspicuous areas. Skin cancer can happen to anyone, so everyone should have an annual full-body exam. Those at higher risk of skin cancer should especially schedule their full-body exams, but expect that your dermatologist may schedule them more often because of this risk.
Keeping your full body exam appointment at regularly scheduled intervals ensures that any skin cancer is caught early and that we can help with any other skin conditions. It’s a systematic approach to ensuring comprehensive health for your body’s largest organ. And even though it takes more time than a 5-minute spot check, it’s worth it.
A full body skin exam gives patients peace of mind knowing they are not alone in their skin journey,” says McKernan. “As providers, we are there for you, helping you achieve the healthiest skin and preventing damage that could lead to cancer. By monitoring patients, we take the stress out of patients to identify lesions that need biopsy or treatment. At full-body skin exams, we are pleased to provide patients with healthier skin in a low-stress environment!”
Although skin cancer spot checks and full body exams are different, they both have one very important thing in common: both can catch skin cancer early when it can be treated with a very high success rate. Everyone can benefit from both exams, and while both are necessary, they differ in timing and focus:
- A skin cancer spot check is only for one worrying, irregular spot and it can happen at any time of the year! Program a skin cancer spot check the moment you realize that a point has changed or displays any of the ABCDEs discussed earlier.
- ONE full body examination is a regularly scheduled routine exam that checks the skin from head to toe. Typically, this should happen once a year for people with an average risk of skin cancer, but more often for people with higher risk factors or a history of skin cancer. For these people, a full-body exam every few months may be recommended.
Skin cancer spot checks and full body exams work together to help people avoid, detect and treat skin cancer in its early stages. Don’t wait until your next scheduled full body exam to address a point of concern. If your next annual exam isn’t for another four months, a cancerous spot can take that long to spread and get worse. So don’t wait until your next appointment, call now for a cancer screening: (833) 279-SKIN.
At the same time, don’t cancel a full-body exam just because you can’t see any relevant points. Skin cancer can occur in areas you can’t easily see (like your back), so these annual checkups are designed to catch those areas and treat them quickly.
McKernan emphasizes that time is of the essence when dealing with skin cancer:
By that time, he warns, skin cancer lesions often worsen and spread, meaning the necessary treatments can become more invasive and expensive, and the prognosis can be worse. It’s a matter of life or death.
Here in Apex Dermatology, we are passionate about helping our patients achieve optimal health through overall skin health. Catching and treating skin cancer as early as possible is a critical aspect of this mission. McKernan points out that they are both skin cancer screenings and whole-body exams important for everyone with skin!
“I was seeing a patient for the full body exam and I educated him that everyone should have a full body exam so the spots can start to be tracked,” she explained. “My patient mentioned that she has a son in his 20s whom she has never seen before. Fortunately, she was able to convince him to come in and check his lesions because during the exam, a suspicious mole was biopsied and came back a melanoma in situ!” This mole was caught and removed early, before it spread and her son recovered.
McKernan is passionate about helping her patients and is actively engaged in continuing education in the dermatology research community and learning the latest science related to dermatology so she can pass that knowledge on to her patients.
Whether you need a spot check right away, want to schedule a full body exam, or have any questions about skin health and skin cancer prevention
