One of the best things you can do for your skin is to protect it from the sun. Liberally applying sunscreen throughout the day will shield your skin from the effects of ultraviolet rays including sun damage, sun burns, premature aging and wrinkles. The biggest worry with exposure to the sun is skin cancer. At THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology our patients are proactive in asking “when should I set up a skin cancer screening?”

Skin cancer is the most common type of skin cancer in the United States with 1 in 5 Americans developing skin cancer in their lifetime. A skin cancer screening is a visual, full-body inspection by a dermatologist who can diagnose and treat all sorts of conditions and diseases of the hair, nails and skin. Screening provides an opportunity to assess the skin and look for atypical moles, unusual spots, growths, lesions and changes to the skin that may indicate a concern. Detecting cancer early can be lifesaving. More than 3 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year. With such a significant portion of the population affected by skin cancer, patients should schedule a skin cancer screening once a year beginning in their 20s. Those with higher risk factors or patients who notice changes to their skin, should consider more frequent skin evaluations. Risk factors for skin cancer include having blonde or red hair, light colored eyes, fair skin that burns or freckles easily, family history of skin cancer, personal history of skin cancer, history of suspicious moles, history of sunburns, frequent tanning bed use and those who have more than 50 moles on their body.

If you are interested in a skin cancer screening at THE CENTER for Advanced Dermatology, fill out a submission form here WEBSITE and a member of our team will reach out to you to schedule an appointment. For more information on how to protect your skin and for how to prepare for your skin cancer screening, call our friendly front office at 602-867-7546.