Reiterating the necessity of frequent skin checks is a good idea now that spring has finally arrived, and not a minute too soon either. Not only should you see your dermatologist once a year, but you should also do self-exams at least once a month.
Here’s why it’s critical to have both: In the United States, more individuals are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than with any other kind of cancer. To put it another way, if you have skin, you’re at risk for skin cancer.
Although it may seem daunting, we have the unique ability to diagnose skin cancer early since we can see it on the skin. This is critical since early detection and treatment of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form, virtually invariably result in full cures.
Don’t put off seeing your dermatologist for a yearly skin checkup.
Even if you don’t have a history of skin cancer in your family, everyone over the age of 18 should get their skin checked once a year by a board-certified dermatologist. As long as you’ve had an affected relative, you should be checked out at least twice a year.
You should know this regardless of what colour your skin is. Despite the fact that melanoma is less prevalent in those with darker skin, individuals with darker complexion are more likely to have it discovered at a later stage, which results in a poorer prognosis. As of 2016, the American Cancer Society estimates that the five-year survival rate for African-Americans with melanoma is 67 percent; for whites, it is 92 percent.Visit aesthetic clinic Malaysia for treatments.
The amount of moles you have on your body might tell you a lot about your family history. Skin cancer risk increases exponentially with the number of moles you have.
A dermatologist has the skills and instruments to perform a complete examination, which includes looking behind your ears and in your butt crack. There is a portable magnifying glass called a dermatoscope that dermatologists may use to view the depth, patterns, and characteristics of moles using polarised illumination.
How can a self-skin check help?
Do-it-yourself skin exams may seem pointless in light of a dermatologist’s in-depth examination. To put it simply, you are the only one who understands your body like you do. Although a dermatologist may observe a change in the form or size of a sunspot or mole over the course of 12 or six months, you may be able to recognise it sooner.
What you should look for while doing a self-skin check will be the subject of my future article. You should always be on the safe side if you see anything that appears suspicious but you’re not sure what it is. Instead of assuming the worst and hoping for the best, you should get it checked out by a dermatologist.
