skin cancer screening Archives - Amazing Health Advances https://amazinghealthadvances.net/tag/skin-cancer-screening/ Your hub for fresh-picked health and wellness info Fri, 06 Jun 2025 03:32:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://amazinghealthadvances.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/AHA_Gradient_Bowl-150x150.jpg skin cancer screening Archives - Amazing Health Advances https://amazinghealthadvances.net/tag/skin-cancer-screening/ 32 32 Early Detection of Melanoma https://amazinghealthadvances.net/early-detection-of-melanoma-8584/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=early-detection-of-melanoma-8584 https://amazinghealthadvances.net/early-detection-of-melanoma-8584/#respond Fri, 06 Jun 2025 05:23:11 +0000 https://amazinghealthadvances.net/?p=17748 Georgia M. Beasley, MD, MHSc, via Duke Health – Melanoma can be cured if detected early. Here, Georgia M. Beasley, MD, MHSc, a surgical oncologist at Duke Health, talks about what to look for and how to know if you are at high risk. How to Detect Melanoma Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, responsible for the majority of all skin cancer deaths. Close to 100,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed this year. Fortunately, these cancers are usually curable if detected early. According to Dr. Beasley, patients diagnosed in the earliest stage of melanoma have over a 90% survival rate at five years, while those diagnosed at the most advanced stage have a 20 to 30% survival rate. Early detection is not always easy. Of all the moles in the United States, only one in 20,000 to 200,000 is a melanoma, so searching for an early-stage melanoma is a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack. The commonly recommended “ABCD” detection technique — looking for moles that are asymmetrical, have an irregular border, have uneven color, or a diameter larger than a pencil eraser — is quite helpful in detecting advanced melanomas, but to catch these cancers earlier, it’s important to take additional steps. Understand Your Risk Profile About half of melanomas occur in just 1 to 5% of the population. The average age of people when it is diagnosed is 65. But melanoma is not uncommon even among those younger than 30, said Dr. Beasley. In fact, it’s one of the most common cancers in young adults, especially young women. High-risk groups include people who have: A personal or family history of melanoma (two or more close relatives who have been diagnosed with invasive melanoma) Dysplastic (atypical) moles Numerous moles (generally more than 50) If you have one or more of these traits, regular skin checks may help save your life. Look Beyond Your Moles Many people are told that they have “pre-cancerous” moles, but this is a poor term: dysplastic (or atypical) moles may never progress to melanoma, and instead, are better considered a risk marker for melanoma. At least half of melanomas appear in normal skin. Look for Moles that Don’t Match Everyone’s moles are different, explained Dr. Beasley, so it’s hard to come up with a blanket description of normal moles versus early melanomas. If you see a new mole that looks different than your other (average) moles — a different color, irregular shape, a more pronounced border — you should have that different mole checked by a doctor. Look for Changes in Your Moles Identifying changing moles is one of the keys to early detection. All moles are new at some point, especially in young adults, so a new or enlarged mole is not necessarily a melanoma. However, if you note a changing mole, it is appropriate to seek medical advice. Don’t Rely on Memory If you have had a previous melanoma, dysplastic moles, or numerous moles, Dr. Beasley recommends asking your doctor about total-body photography. Instead of relying on memory to determine whether a mole has changed or is new, Duke dermatologists offer total-body photography to provide a baseline for comparison at future examinations. Total body photography CDs can be used in the clinic and at home to allow for comparisons. Heed Your Own Concerns If you are concerned about an area on your skin, that is enough reason for your doctor to be concerned as well. Don’t hesitate to ask for a second opinion if needed. To read the original article click here.

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]]> https://amazinghealthadvances.net/early-detection-of-melanoma-8584/feed/ 0 Learning the ABCDE’s of Skin Cancer https://amazinghealthadvances.net/learning-the-abcdes-of-skin-cancer-7418/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learning-the-abcdes-of-skin-cancer-7418 https://amazinghealthadvances.net/learning-the-abcdes-of-skin-cancer-7418/#respond Wed, 07 Jul 2021 07:00:03 +0000 https://amazinghealthadvances.net/?p=12113 Hackensack Meridian Health via Newswise – Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. In fact, it is estimated that one out of seven people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. What Causes Skin Cancer? Certain risk factors put you at higher risk for developing skin cancer. Skin cancer risk factors may include excessive exposure to sun and tanning beds, a history of sunburn, fair skin, family history and certain medical conditions. Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is a less common, but more serious type of skin cancer. Who Can Develop Skin Cancer? The people most likely to develop skin cancer are individuals with fair skin, blonde or red hair, light-colored eyes, a history of sun exposure or a tendency to burn or freckle when exposed to sun. Those who have a family history of skin cancer are also at increased risk. People of all colors can develop skin cancer. Doing a self-check of your skin once a month at home can help you find changes in the way your skin looks or feels. Use a mirror to check for anything new on your skin, such as a new mole or changes to a mole you already have. Keep track of any changes you may find and discuss these changes with your doctor. The ABCDE’s of Skin Cancer A – Asymmetry: One half of the spot or mole does not match the other half B – Border: The edges are often irregular, uneven, or ragged; the pigment, or color, may spread into the surrounding skin C – Color: The color is not even, and there may be more than one shade or color present; shades of black, brown, and tan may be present; areas of white, gray, red, pink, or blue may be seen D – Diameter: The size of the spot or mole can be tiny, but it usually is larger than the size of a pea (one fourth of an inch) or larger E – Evolving: The size, shape, or color of the spot has changed over the past few weeks or months If you have a lesion or skin change, have a diagnosis and need further treatment, or want a second option, outstanding skin cancer care is right here, close to home. Speak with your doctor right away, if you notice any skin changes.  Visit www.mountainsidemedicalgroup.comor call 866-999-5162 to find a doctor near you. Virtual visits are available. Learn more about the Skin Cancer Center at Mountainside at www.mountainsidehosp.com/skin. To read the original article click here.

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