Self-Screening for Melanoma

Don't be shy; melanoma isn't, and finding it early could save your life. To that end, our education team has developed this helpful guide to self-screening. Follow the steps each month and pay attention to moles or spots that change shape, size or color. Know the ABCDE guide of melanoma. See something unusual? Make an appointment with a dermatologist as soon as possible. 

For more information go to melanomaresearchfoundation.com

MELANOMA & SKIN CANCER

What is the difference between MELANOMA and SKIN CANCER?
This is a question often asked or implied though it could be phrased better with more information. 

Actually, melanoma IS a skin cancer, though by far the least common.  Less than 1% of all skin cancers are melanomas, though it is the most dangerous. The other 2 types : basal and squamous are usually not fatal; melanoma almost always is if left untreated.

Melanomas also are not as related to sun exposure as the more common skin cancers: they may occur anywhere on the skin, including the fingers, toes, scalp, genitals, & within the eye.

Screening for Cancer.

Doctors are trained in the art and science of treating symptoms.  Symptoms are our bodies ways of announcing disease.  In short, internally we are often a day late and a dollar short.

Dermatology is beautifully different: we can see evidence of early pathology by examining the organ (skin) directly.  The average dermatologist by recognizing and removing abnormal moles saves 2-3 patients' lives per month since these moles would evolve into uniformly fatal malignant melanomas ("mole cancers") with the patient dying within a few years.

Risk factors include fair skin, fair hair, blue eyes, and to a lesser degree excessive sun exposure.  Evolving tumors, when removed early, are 100% curable; 100% fatal when removed late.  

A yearly full cutaneous exam on all patients would essentially prevent this fatal disease (the fastest increasing cancer in the U.S) from exacting its toll.