Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it serves as your first line of protection against various ailments. Healthy skin keeps bacteria at bay, stops viruses from spreading, allows you to be dry or wet without issue, and shields you from the environment. Unfortunately, like other body parts, your skin is vulnerable to cancer. While simply the mention of this word by your physician is enough to send chills, skin cancer screenings Fort Worth can help you identify skin cancer before it extends to the lymph nodes and other body organs. As a result, you can enhance treatment outcomes and avoid developing recurrent concerns. Here are some typical signs that you need a skin cancer screening.
Family History
Some types of skin cancer are genetically predisposed. If either of your parents or a close relative has ever been identified with skin cancer, you may be more susceptible to it later on. To be safer, arranging a skin check after two to five years is wise to ensure your health is in good shape.
Multiple Moles
One of the first signals that you might want a preventative skin evaluation is the number of moles across your body. Skin cancer often develops in unusual moles, implying you are more susceptible to acquiring a malignant mole if you have several across your body. Persons with increased moles of about 40 to 50 should visit their dermatologist for routine skin checks to look for malignancy.
Growth or New Moles
As for symptoms, if you discover any new developments or moles on your body, such as warts, you must have your skin checked as quickly as possible. However, considering that numerous folks are born with moles that last their entire lifetime, the appearance of new moles may indicate aberrant skin development. A wart-like growth or protrusion on the skin can also signal the presence of skin cancer.
Mole Evolution
Another clue that you should get your skin checked is if you observe changes on a preexisting mole. Healthy moles are typically the same in hue, shape, and size. Thus, if you have moles with different colors, growing sizes, irregular edges, or are plainly asymmetric, you might have a troublesome mole that your dermatologist should evaluate.
Nevertheless, it is conceivable to have unusual-looking moles that are perfectly innocuous. If you have one odd-looking mole, look for others in other body regions, and if they all appear the same, there might be no reason for concern. On the other hand, if you observe just one mole that is suspiciously looking, a biopsy might be required to establish if the mole is malignant.
Skin, Hair, and Eye Hue
Specific physical traits concerning your looks place you in the high-risk category for skin cancer. For instance, people with naturally blonde or red hair, freckles, light-colored sclera, and fair skin that does not love sunlight are risk factors for skin cancer. Nonetheless, skin cancer could still develop in persons with darker skin, eyes, and hair, but at a much-reduced rate.
Scales and Sores
This might signify unusual growth if you notice a sore or scaly patch on your skin that never heals. Skin can recuperate quite fast, but it will occasionally bleed, crust, or repeatedly heal if it contains malignant cells. Skin cancer screening will spot any benign and non-benign moles.
Preventative health practices are critical, especially regarding chronic issues like cancer. If you suspect you have any of the symptoms associated with skin cancer or other factors that might put you in the high-risk category, you should arrange a skin cancer screening as soon as possible. Call the office near you or book online to discuss your unique concerns and learn what to expect from the screening procedure, including how to prepare.