Skin cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer because of how easily it can happen and how quickly it can spread. Nobody wants to be cooped up inside all day, so even if someone doesn’t spend significant time in a tanning bed, or laying out on a beach, they are still susceptible to skin cancer. The importance is even greater for people that have skin cancer run in their families.
Regular skin cancer screening in San Antonio and treatment is one of the key aspects of maintaining your overall health. Call the Westover Hills Dermatology offices to schedule your consultation about skin cancer screening in San Antonio and treatment.
While there’s no such thing as good cancer, one of the positives of skin cancer is that it can be removed. If you catch it early enough, skin cancer cells can be surgically taken out before they have a chance to spread to other parts of the body such as the liver or lungs.
The first step to proper skin cancer screening is to know your body. Most signs of skin cancer come in the form of red bumps, the appearance of scars, rashes and more. By knowing how your body looks on a regular basis, you’re able to diagnose an early sign of skin cancer properly.
The look of your moles is another big indicator of skin cancer. Moles are a natural occurrence on the body and don’t pose any threat to your overall health, but when their appearance changes, it could be a sign of skin cancer. If your moles are appearing darker and misshapen, call our office and schedule an appointment immediately.
If a member of our medical team discovers something we want to take a closer look at, we’ll perform a biopsy. A biopsy is when we take a sample of your skin and place it under a microscope to determine if skin cancer cells are present. If it seems likely that cancer is present, we will determine if we need to take further action.
This further action will probably include surgery to remove the skin in question and then send the sample to a different lab for a more thorough inspection. Once the surgery is completed, we will go over your options for further preventative measures. This will include setting a schedule for return visits, informing you of actions you can take such as wearing sunscreen and avoiding the sun and providing tips for doing further skin checks at home.
Cancer is always a frightening diagnosis, but if you catch it early enough, it can be safely removed and prevent any further damage. Skin cancer is no different. When moles change appearance, a cyst appears under the skin or a scar doesn’t go away it’s important to have it looked at by a medical professional.
Westover Hills Dermatology understands the importance of skin health. When you call and make an appointment with a member of our medical team, we’ll take the utmost care of your skin and should something arise we will work quickly to diagnose and remove the problem. If you have any questions about your skin, make an appointment today.