When detected early, the prognosis of skin cancer treatment is nearly 100%. This is why U.S. preventive services ensure that anyone who is at higher risk of developing skin cancer should be screened annually for any warning signs.
Skin screening is the only way by which skin cancer can be detected early and dermatologists at Northstar Dermatology provide skin cancer screenings in Forth Worth, Texas for all patients who are prone to skin burning and damage with sun exposure, especially people with fair skin and red hair. Screening for skin cancer is also done here for people who have a history of either personally battling skin cancer before or have a family history of the same.
The 3 major types of cancer that affect our skin are:
- Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are 2 common forms of skin cancer apart from melanoma.
- While BCC is a slow-growing cancer, the other 2 forms metastasize quickly, and hence, any suspicious skin changes must be immediately evaluated.
Risk factors for skin cancer
While the exact cause of melanoma is unknown, you are at an increased risk if:
- You have a fair skin color.
- Your hair is either blonde or red.
- Your eye color is green, blue, or other light colors
- You have 50 plus common moles on your body.
- Your skin is frequently exposed to the sun.
- You have a history of sunburn (second-degree).
- Your family or personal history of having any form of skin cancer puts you in the high-risk category.
In all these cases, you are eligible for annual screening in any certified dermatology clinic in Fort Worth, Texas. Even in the absence of high-risk factors, if you notice any suspicious skin changes, you must schedule a skin cancer screening appointment.
During a screening session for skin cancer, the doctor not only examines the suspicious regions of the skin but will also evaluate your scalp, soles of the feet, mouth, and even the genitals for any suspicious lesions.
For any suspicious growth or patch, a thorough physical examination is conducted and if necessary, a biopsy is done to confirm the clinical findings. The biopsy results in Fort Worth, Texas normally arrive in a 2 weeks period after which a follow-up can be arranged based on the findings.
If the suspicious growth turns out to be non-cancerous, you can choose to get it removed surgically on an outpatient basis or you can monitor it for any changes.
