Skin cancer can develop when your skin cells produce abnormal growth anywhere on the body. Because skin cancer is the fastest-growing and most common cancer in the U.S., it’s important that more and more people are becoming aware of how the disease is caused, ways to reduce your risk, and how to get a skin cancer screening.
What Causes Skin Cancer?
When your skin cells die, DNA allows new ones to replace them. However, if there is any damage to your DNA, the skin cells could produce more than needed or stay on the skin longer than they’re supposed to, resulting in skin cancer.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Skin Cancer?
Diagnosing skin cancer early is the best way to ensure it doesn’t spread throughout your body. You need to understand the warning signs of skin cancer to detect it sooner rather than later and schedule a skin cancer screening at Advanced Dermatology and Laser Medical Center with our dermatologist Dr. Nita Patel. The signs include:
- Changes in the appearance of the growth: Give yourself self-checks to look for changing moles. To do this, you can follow the ABCDE method: asymmetry, border, color, diameter, and evolving. Melanoma is a highly aggressive and dangerous skin cancer, so you must check your skin monthly to detect any signs of skin cancer as early as possible.
- Changes on the skin after the mole is removed.
- Itchy or oozing moles
- A sore that won’t heal or completely go away
- Issues with your vision: if you are experiencing sudden vision problems, you should have an eye exam to rule out melanoma, as this type of skin cancer is known to occur in the eye.
- Dark spots under your fingernails or toenails.
How To Reduce My Risk Of Skin Cancer
Unfortunately, you aren’t able to completely prevent yourself from skin cancer. However, there are ways you can significantly reduce your risk, including wearing long sleeves, pants, hats, and sunglasses when you’re outside, limiting your time outdoors between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, and avoiding indoor tanning.
Book Your Skin Cancer Screening Today!
Don’t wait until skin cancer has taken over your body. Call Advanced Dermatology and Laser Medical Center in Marina Del Rey, CA, at 310-577-7544 to schedule your skin cancer screening today with our board-certified and highly trained dermatologist, Dr. Nita Patel.
