The Importance of Regular Skin Cancer Screenings: A Comprehensive Guide

If you love spending time out in the sun, you need to protect your skin. Excessive exposure to the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Early detection of skin cancer is critical, which is why skin cancer screenings, provided by your dermatologist, are so important. Dr. Paul Yamauchi at Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center in Santa Monica, CA, offers a wide range of dermatology services, including skin cancer screenings.

How Skin Cancer Screenings Can Help You

You should schedule a skin cancer screening at least once each year if you are at average risk of developing skin cancer. You should schedule a skin cancer screening more often if you have:

• Fair skin and freckles
• A tendency to sunburn easily and severely
• A history of skin cancer
• A family history of skin cancer
• A tendency to spend extended periods out in the sun

The factors listed above put you at a higher risk of developing skin cancer, so more frequent skin cancer screenings are advisable.

During a skin cancer screening, your dermatologist will check your skin, looking for:

• Large moles, with a diameter of 6 millimeters or greater
• Irregular moles with ragged, uneven borders
• Moles that have changed in size, shape, or color
• Unevenly shaped moles
• Red, itchy, bleeding, or oozing moles
• Recurrent moles, which have grown back after previous removal
• Patches of red, scaly skin, or open sores that don’t heal

Your dermatologist may recommend removing a mole or an area of tissue and sending it for a biopsy to determine if cancerous cells are present.

Remember to take daily steps to prevent skin cancer. You should:

• Wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 daily, or at least SPF 50 if you are outside for a long period
• Wear a hat, sunglasses, and other protective clothing
• Try to stay out of direct sunlight between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when ultraviolet rays are most harmful

Want To Know More About Skin Cancer Screenings?

To find out more about the importance of skin cancer screenings and how they can help you, call Dr. Paul Yamauchi at Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center in Santa Monica, CA. You can reach him in the office by calling (310) 829-4104, so call today.