Skin Cancer Screening
Cancer screening refers to looking for potential signs of cancer before the individual shows any symptoms. Skin cancer screening can help in early-stage cancer detection. It is easier to treat cancer or abnormal tissue if it is detected early.
Cancer may have already begun to spread by the time the symptoms manifest themselves externally. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness provides skin cancer screening to patients in Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and surrounding communities and towns in this region of the country.
Early Skin Cancer Detection
Although research studies have not been conducted to determine the effectiveness of regular melanoma screening for individuals with no familial history of skin cancer, it is generally considered to be a beneficial preventive approach. Routine skin examinations can help to identify skin cancer in its earliest stage when it is the easiest to address.
A majority of the cases of squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma initially appear as changes in the skin. The patient or the physician will be able to note these changes. Subsequently, a dermatologist verifies it as skin cancer after a skin assessment and biopsy. Squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas can mostly be treated without any specific screening process.
A family history of skin cancer is a risk for melanoma. Furthermore, there is substantial evidence that the risk associated with developing melanoma is heightened for people with multiple common moles or atypical moles.
An atypical mole which is also known as dysplastic nevi has an irregular outline, varies in color, or is asymmetrical implying that if it were to be cut into two parts, the halves would not appear identical.
High-Risk Candidates for Skin Cancer Screening
Dermatologists suggest lifetime dermatologic surveillance for patients with a medical history of melanoma. Additionally, dermatologists recommend that people, who meet any of the criteria below as determined during routine care, should be evaluated for a skin cancer screening:
- Patients who have over 50 moles on their bodies.
- The presence of multiple actinic keratoses or precancerous growths which are pink to grey hued patches of skin in areas that are exposed to the sun.
- The presence of many atypical moles.
- Men and women with light complexions over the age of 65.
- Significant history of sunburn and sun exposure.
- A family history of melanoma occurring in two or more blood relatives.
Other people that do not display these specific risk attributes may discuss the efficacy of an annual exam with their dermatologist and jointly establish whether such an exam is warranted.
Consult with your physician if your barber or hairdresser has seen a suspect lesion in your scalp or beneath your beard, or if you identify any of the below-mentioned symptoms during a self-exam:
- A suspicious alteration in a pre-existent skin growth
- A suspect change in a pre-existent spot or mole
- A sore that does not heal in two weeks
Judicious board certified dermatologist Dr. Jamie McGinness receives patients from Shiloh, IL; St. Louis, MO, and other neighborhoods and suburbs in this area of the amazing Midwest for skin cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
If you would like to learn more about procedures and treatments at Metro East Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jamie L. McGinness please contact us here or call (618) 622-SKIN (7546)
Taking new patients in and around the greater St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois area: East St. Louis Missouri, Shiloh Illinois, Belleville, Millstadt, Saint Clair County, Madison County and more.