The Most Treatable Form of Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in over two million people are diagnosed annually. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life.
The good news is that skin cancer is also the easiest cancer to treat, if it’s found early. Even better, it’s also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
There are three major types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, but if it’s treated early, it’s almost always curable.
Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the United States, but it is also one of the most treatable.
More than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with skin cancer, you are not alone.
Skin cancer represents about half of all cancers in the United States, but it is also among the most treatable—if it’s found early. More than 95 percent of patients whose melanoma is detected early will be alive in five years. That rate falls to just 15 percent when detection occurs late, after the tumor has spread to other organs.
Early detection depends on several factors:
Patient awareness of risk factors, signs and symptoms;
Physician awareness of risk factors, signs and symptoms; and
The ability to capture and share high-quality images of moles and other skin lesions that can be used for both diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Millions of people get diagnosed with skin cancer every year. A good number of them are not detected until the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Since skin cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, early detection is essential in ensuring a positive prognosis for your patients.
Here’s how dermatologists detect skin cancer:
1. By conducting a visual inspection of the body, dermatologists look for moles that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, are multicolored, and are larger than 6mm (a pencil eraser).
2. If the dermatologist finds something, he/she will perform a biopsy to test if it’s malignant or benign. This involves removing part or all of a mole and examining it under a microscope for abnormal cells.
3. If it turns out to be malignant, treatment will begin immediately to prevent the cancer from spreading.
Dermatology is often called the most visual of medical specialties, more an art than a science. But dermatology has moved far beyond the physical examination. Today, dermatologists employ a variety of technologies that can help to detect and diagnose skin cancer as well as other skin conditions.
Our highly trained doctors will conduct an in-depth examination of your skin using these proven techniques. Since early detection is critical, it’s not only important to have regular screenings but to be aware of what’s normal for your skin and what’s not. If you suspect you might have a suspicious spot or are concerned about something on your skin, make an appointment with us.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the country, with more than a million new cases diagnosed each year. Although skin cancer can be found anywhere on the body, it is most commonly found on areas that are exposed to sunlight.
Cancer begins when healthy cells become abnormal and start to grow out of control. As these tumor cells multiply, they can damage normal tissue nearby and spread to other parts of the body. The process by which these cells spread to other parts of the body is called metastasis.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because it has a greater chance of spreading (metastasizing) to other organs and causing death if not found early and removed completely. This type of skin cancer is responsible for nearly 7,700 deaths each year in the United States alone.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. They usually form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. Another type of skin cancer, melanoma, is more serious but less common.
You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps.
The best way to find skin cancer early is to check your own skin for changes that are not normal for you. This can be hard because many people do not know what to look for on their skin. Talk with your doctor about what you should look for and when you should call with questions or concerns.
**What is a dermatologist?**
A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. These doctors are medical doctors who have completed 4 years of medical school, 4 years of post-graduate study, and 3 years of residency. They have extra training in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions, including cancers.