Huntington dermatologist describes skin cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

Skin is the largest organ of the body, and one of the most common places for cancer to occur. Skin cancer has become a serious epidemic, responsible for over half of all cancer diagnoses in the United States. Each year, thousands of people die from skin cancer, which is why we focus on educating our patients about the importance of prevention and early detection.

Dr. Koreen and the team at the Dermatology & Cosmetic Laser Center in Huntington, NY understand the importance of proper skin care. While we are equipped to effectively diagnose and treat skin cancer, we believe it’s important to emphasize the easy steps individuals can take to lower their risk of cancer and improve the chances of early detection.

In addition to keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized, individuals should also do the following:

• Make sure to wear sunscreen every day, even on days with minimal time spent outside. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher product. Sun exposure while driving and walking to and from the car can still hurt the skin.
• Be aware of when you are spending your time outdoors. Try to avoid peak times during the middle of the day when the UV rays are at their strongest.
• Perform self-skin checks at home and make your dermatologist aware of any suspicious moles or spots that you would like checked.
• Maintain regular skin cancer screenings from your dermatologist.

The importance of regular skin cancer screenings

Regular skin cancer screenings have a major impact on prognosis if a skin cancer is detected. When patients make the time for screenings, it allows the dermatologist to catch any suspicious pre-cancerous and cancerous spots before they become deeper problems. While generally not deadly, cancers like basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma can be disfiguring when not caught early. Discovering these spots before they become problematic can make removal and treatment less invasive. For melanoma, which has the potential to spread to other organs, early detection is vital to long term survival.

During a skin cancer screening, the dermatologist will note any unusual moles, growths, or lesions as well as any changes in existing moles. A skin cancer screening involves checking the body from head to toe and biopsies can be done if necessary.

If a patient discovers a suspicious growth, it’s important to schedule an evaluation. We begin the diagnostic process by taking a complete family medical history, your medical history (including history of sun exposure) and then a physical exam. We will perform a thorough examination of the skin including the surrounding lymph nodes. It’s important to tell us when the spots first appeared and any changes that have occurred in size, color, shape, or texture.

To confirm if the spot is skin cancer, we will take a biopsy. A biopsy involves surgically removing a small area of the spot or growth. We use local anesthetic to make the procedure more comfortable. The excised area is then sent to a pathologist for examination. If the pathologist confirms the growth is malignant (a positive cancer diagnosis), we will recommend treatment options based on several different factors: the type of skin cancer, the stage of the cancer, the location of the cancer, and the individual’s preference.