If you could take steps to prevent cancer, would you try them? At North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, IL, your dermatologist, Dr. Elizabeth Fahrenbach, alerts patients to signs of skin cancer and teaches them how to prevent it. Would you like to know more?
Skin cancer can be deadly
Unfortunately, skin cancer kills two Americans every hour, reports the Skin Cancer Foundation. Many more fall prey to it and undergo treatment to remove it and check its spread.
While people think of malignant melanoma as the most prevalent kind, squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas make up more cases. That being said, Dr. Fahrenbach wants all her Chicago area patient informed on skin cancer symptoms and ways to prevent it.
Look at your skin
Every adult should inspect his or her skin at least once a month. Look carefully at all exposed areas.
When you inspect your skin, note any spot or freckle. Some spots, such as moles (nevi), are congenital and normal. However, if moles, or other freckles or spots, change over time, report these differences to your skin doctor right away.
Also, be alert to:
- Sores which itch, bleed, ooze or do not heal within a week to 10 days
- Pigmentation which moves beyond the borders of a mole or freckle
- A spot or mole which is different from others you have (this is the ugly duckling sign)
Also, the CDC recommends this easy way to assess your moles:
A means asymmetry. A mole, divided in half, should look the same in shape and color on both sides.
B means border. Healthy moles have smooth borders. Notches or scallops are abnormal.
C stands for color. It should be the same throughout the mole and never change.
D is for diameter. A healthy mole is no larger than a pencil top eraser.
E means evolving. If a mole changes in how it looks, feels or behaves, show it to your skin doctor, and don't delay.
Preventing skin cancer
Here are some tips to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer:
- Avoid excessive sun exposure and sunburns. Cover up, seek shade or stay indoors during peak sun times between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Liberally apply SPF 30 to all exposed areas if you are outside. Re-apply every two hours or more often if you are swimming or sweating a lot. Use this product on babies six months of age and older.
- Do not deliberately tan, particularly with artificial tanning sources.
- Look at your skin at home once a month, and see your dermatologist yearly if you are 40 or older.
Love your skin
At North Branch Dermatology in Chicago, Dr. Elizabeth Fahrenbach and her team want you and your skin as healthy as possible. So learn all you can about skin cancer. For more information, or to arrange an appointment, contact us at (773) 763-6000. The team at North Branch Dermatology in Chicago is offering telehealth visits by phone or computer.