At Coastal Valley Dermatology, we’re dedicated to educating people about skin cancer and the need for early detection. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and affects over two million people every year. If you are at risk for skin cancer or notice an abnormality like an irregular mole or patch of skin, you should schedule a skin cancer screening with Monterey and Carmel Dermatologist, Dr. Roya Javid.
Early detection is vital with skin cancer. If it’s detected before its penetrated the skin, the typical survival rate is around 99 percent. If undetected, the cancer can advance which causes the survival rate to fall drastically.
How do you get skin cancer?
The American Cancer Society has found common skin cancer risk factors to include:
- Unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
- Fair complexion
- Occupational exposures to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, or radium
- Family history
- Multiple or atypical moles
- Severe sunburns as a child
Signs of Skin Cancer
Additionally, common symptoms and signs of skin cancer include:
- Any change on the skin, especially in the size or color of a mole or other darkly pigmented growth or spot, or a new growth
- Scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or change in the appearance of a bump or nodule
- The spread of pigmentation beyond its border such as dark coloring that spreads past the edge of a mole or mark
- A change in sensation, itchiness, tenderness, or pain
If you have any of these symptoms, contact to your doctor about a screening.
How to avoid skin cancer
Skin cancer is preventable. Limit your exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Seek shade during the hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Choose comfortable clothes made of tightly woven fabrics that aren’t see-through. And when outdoors, always apply sunscreen with a protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Skin Cancer Education
The same type of skin cancer can look very different from person to person. This makes it hard to look at a picture and tell if you have skin cancer. The best way to tell if you have skin cancer is to see a dermatologist. You should see a dermatologist right away for a skin cancer check if you see anything on your skin that lasts for 2 weeks or longer and is:
- Growing
- Changing shape
- Bleeding or itching
These are signs of skin cancer. If it is caught early and removed, skin cancer has a high cure rate.
The most common cancer in the world.
More than 2 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year. And that’s just in the United States. Most Americans will have one of these skin cancers:
If you suspect you have skin cancer, don’t wait. Call our dermatology office at 831- 293-8458.
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Coastal Valley Dermatology is committed to providing state-of-the-art medical and non-surgical rejuvenation treatments that allow our patients to feel youthful and confident. Schedule your consultation in person or via Telehealth video visit with Dr. Roya Javid at 831-293-8458.
