May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so let’s look at some of the facts about skin cancer, provided by the Skin Cancer Foundation:
If you’re not already affected by skin cancer, you or someone close to you will be soon.
The news isn’t all bad. Skin cancers are perhaps the most survivable form of the disease, particularly with early detection. The best way to catch skin cancer early is with annual full-body cancer screening.
Dermatologist Dr. Clement Banda of MD Vein & Skin Specialists is a skin cancer expert who offers mole mapping services in Columbia, Maryland. Contact our office if you’re not already receiving annual full-body skin checks.
An annual skin cancer evaluation with a specialist like Dr. Banda is the best way to catch cancerous and precancerous lesions early, when they’re easiest to treat. Dr. Banda performs a head-to-toe exam to identify subtle changes, indicating that something may require deeper evaluation.
Dr. Banda can also examine areas that are difficult to view effectively during self-examinations. Mole mapping also adds an extra layer of security, enabling year-to-year comparisons, which are particularly helpful for identifying new lesions or moles that haven’t yet shown tumorous changes.
In some cases, you may need more frequent cancer screenings. You may be at a higher risk of skin cancer when you have:
Dr. Banda can help you determine the screen schedule that’s right for you and your individual risk factors.
Contact us promptly if you have a skin lesion that triggers a red flag with the ABCDE method of self-evaluating melanoma, one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer. The ABCDE rules include:
If you have a spot that’s itchy, bleeding, oozing, or that won’t heal, it’s time for a visit.
Partner with MD Vein & Skin Specialists to manage your skin cancer risk. Book an appointment online or call our office directly to schedule your next full-body skin cancer check today.
