Why You Should Schedule your Skin Cancer Screening Now
- Posted on: Sep 15 2021
Over these past 18 months, we’ve had far greater concerns about health and wellness than most of us have had in our lifetimes. The persistence of the novel coronavirus has us living in the day-to-day to such an extent that, even now that we have vaccines available, many people are still forgetting about the value of routine health screenings. Skin cancer is one of those routine appointments that you don’t want to let fall to the wayside. Here, we discuss why now is a great time to contact our Sarasota dermatology office for your skin cancer screening.
Skin Cancer can Affect Anyone
Every year in the United States, more than five million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed. For many years, skin cancer has been the most common cancer diagnosis. As a result of research and awareness campaigns, we know much more about skin cancer today than we did just 30 years ago. Still, the high statistics tell us that we’re missing something.
It isn’t information that we are missing. We have mountains of data that indicate the dangers of skin cancer. It’s not necessarily awareness, either. What we may be missing more than anything is the realization that skin cancer could affect us. It isn’t a condition that happens to “them” only, those unfortunately millions who get this diagnosis. It is a condition that could eventually touch us. If you are breathing, you have a risk for skin cancer. It doesn’t matter if you wear sunscreen (chances are you’re applying it incorrectly, sorry). It doesn’t matter if your skin is darker. Skin cancer could touch you, so you need routine skin cancer screenings.
Skin Cancer can Develop Anywhere
Because we are told that we should wear sunscreen every day to protect ourselves from skin cancer, it’s easy to believe that this condition only occurs where the sun touches the skin. That isn’t the case. Skin cancer can develop on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. It can develop in between the fingers or toes, the scalp, and even the genitals. This is why even monthly self-examinations are not enough to fully know one’s skin. A thorough skin cancer screening performed by a dermatologist is a must.
Risk Increases Over Time
The older we get, the more likely we are to develop skin cancer. The reason is simple, the damage to our skin accumulates over time. So, even if you wear sunscreen every day and check your skin regularly, the suntans and burns you got as a child still carry a risk to your skin.
Skin cancer can be prevented. It can also be treated. Regular skin cancer screenings are an essential aspect of getting prompt and effective care for this condition. To schedule your screening, contact us at (941) 379-6647.
Posted in: Skin Cancer
