The message is clear about the importance of regular skin care examinations. In fact, both self-exams and doctor skin exams are important in the early detection and prompt treatment of all types of skin cancers. Skin cancers that are detected before they become larger or more aggressively invade other tissues are easier to treat than those that are detected later in their development.1
In addition research studies reported in the journal Cancer also found that people that have participated in skin cancer screening, which included a visual skin exam, were diagnosed correctly with regards to the presence of skin cancer up to 75% of the time. The report also indicated that this rate was equivalent to all the other cancer screening tools and therefore was an appropriate option for patients and dermatologists in early detection and treatment.2
Types Of Examinations
There are two basic types of examinations for skin cancer. One is the self-exam and one is a skin exam that is completed by your family doctor, dermatologist or oncologist. Both use the same general techniques and should be done on a routine basis.
A self exam can be done at home either by yourself or with a family member or friend to help you check the parts of your body that are hard to see. Using a bright light and a mirror you simply examine your skin and chart the moles, freckles or any irregularities on or under the skin. This includes all areas of the skin from the top of the head through to the skin between the toes.
The easiest tool to use is a body map, which is an outline of the human body and a grid area for recording information about the moles or irregularities. Placing a mark on the map that corresponds to information on the ABCDEs of the mole or skin irregularity makes tracking changes easy.3 Melan You may also choose to take a digital image of a gauge or ruler and the mole and store it for comparison with the next examination.
The second type of skin examination is completed by your dermatologist or family doctor. This involves the doctor using a high powered hand held light and a magnifying glass to check your entire body for any atypical moles, known as dysplastic nevi. The doctor will also be looking for changes in the ABCD and E of each mole or irregular skin area.
The Changes Of Concern
Freckles and moles can and will change in color, intensity and even number as people age. It is not uncommon for people to have multiple moles or freckles on their body, especially if they have light skin, fair or red hair and light colored eyes. There are associated risk factors to consider as well including UV radiation exposure, family medical history, sun exposure and burning and other health issues.4
Changes in the ABCDE of the mole, freckle or skin irregularity found in a skin cancer self-exam should result in a trip to your dermatologist or family doctor.5 The changes to watch for include:
- A – asymmetry in moles can be an indication of skin cancer. This includes moles that are not round or oval in shape but have irregular shapes that are not symmetrical.
- B – borders of moles that are fuzzy or blurred into the surrounding skin, scalloped or notched in shape or that change in texture and elevation from the skin
- C – color variations within the borders of the mole
- D – diameters of more than 5mm or about the size of a pencil erasure
- E – evolution or change in the mole over time
Regular self-examinations followed by physician examinations if any changes are noted will provide the best opportunity for early detection of any possible cancerous or precancerous moles.
The Benefits of Skin Exams
People that have concerns about skin cancer often put off going to their doctor or dermatologist because they fear the possible diagnosis. While this may be a natural reaction there are ways to avoid this very natural fear. The options to consider include completing routine self-exams, learning about skin cancer from accurate sources and finding a family doctor or dermatologist that you feel comfortable with.
Talking in advance to a doctor or dermatologist as well as actively learning about the risk factors, symptoms and treatment and recovery rates for skin cancer will greatly reduce your fears. Completing just a bit of research shows that the vast majority of skin cancers are not melanomas and can be treated very successfully.6 This information can be used to reinforce to everyone, especially those patients with multiple risk factors for skin cancer, about the importance of routine skin examinations.
Not all family physicians routinely include skin examinations in the annual check-up. If you have a history of melanomas or skin cancers in the family or in your own personal background it is important to request this exam to be included in your physical. In situations where there is a personal history of skin cancers, especially melanomas, a dermatologist should be consulted as indicated to check for the earliest signs of possible cancers or precancerous growths.
Being proactive in self-exams and following up with medical examinations when changes are noted is an excellent way to stay actively involved in the detection of all types of skin cancers. In addition reducing the number of risk factors for skin cancer in can also reduce the risk of developing skin cancer throughout your life.
References
1 Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection . (n.d.). Retrieved from American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-Melanoma/MoreInformation/SkinCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection
/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-skin-exams
2 Howard K Koh, M.D. et al.(1990). Evaluation of melanoma/skin cancer screening in Massachusetts Preliminary results. Cancer , 375-379.
3 Melanoma Monday Mole Map. (n.d.). Retrieved from American Academy Of Dermatology: www.melanomamonday.org/documents/08_96%20Melanoma%20Monday%20Mole%20Map.pdf
4 Skin Cancer Risk Factors. (n.d.). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=risk-factors5
5 Skin Cancer:Signs and Symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved from American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/skin-cancer/signs-symptoms/skin-cancer-signs-and-symptoms
6 Cancer Facts and Figures 2010. (2010). Retrieved from American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@nho/documents/document/acspc-024113.pdf
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