How your dermatologists in Toledo, Ohio can help prevent and treat skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. That’s why it’s so important to detect skin cancer early when it is much easier and more effective to treat. The dermatologists at Anders Dermatology in Toledo, Ohio offer comprehensive skincare solutions, including diagnosis and treatment for skin cancer.
You play a large part in detecting skin cancer by doing a regular self-examination of your skin, but you need to know what to look for. These are some of the warning signs of skin cancer:
- A mole that has a diameter greater than 6 millimeters
- Moles that have irregular, ragged borders
- An asymmetrically-shaped mole
- New moles, or moles that came back after being removed
- Open moles or sores that don’t heal
- Swollen, red, or bleeding moles or spots
- Itchy, scaly, or painful moles or spots
If you do notice any of the warning signs listed above, it’s important to seek out your dermatologist as soon as you can. Your dermatologist will most likely recommend a biopsy of your mole, which is the precise way of determining whether the mole is precancerous, or cancerous, and what type of skin cancer it is.
Common treatments for skin cancer include removing the mole completely, or MOHS micrographic surgery, during which the mole is removed in layers, and each layer is examined under a microscope for the presence of cancerous cells.
It’s important to take precautions to prevent skin cancer. Always wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and at least SPF 30 if you plan on being outside for a long period of time. Wear hats and sunglasses, and try to avoid being in direct sunlight between 10 AM and 4 PM, when ultraviolet rays are the most damaging.
When you know the warning signs of skin cancer, you can do a lot to protect yourself. To find out more about skin cancer and skin cancer treatment, talk with your dermatologist. Call the dermatologists of Anders Dermatology in Toledo, Ohio at (419) 473-3257. Call today.
