Prevention is Better Than Cure
EVERYDAY Approximately 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the United States. This is not a typo, 9,500 new cases a day… every day. But what a lot of people don’t know is…
If you catch it early, it’s 99% treatable.
This article is going to give you an inside look at the most advanced detection methods available and show you the best prevention strategies that can – and will – save your life.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Early Detection Is The Key To Winning The Fight Against Skin Cancer
The skin cancer facts don’t lie…
Skin cancer is one of the most curable cancers when detected early. When melanoma is detected early, it’s 99% treatable. That’s good.
The problem is, many people aren’t aware of the signs.
Professional skin cancer detection is key. Professional screenings can catch suspicious lesions in their early stages, long before they become dangerous. This is akin to checking your car tires regularly. It may seem like a minor thing to some, but this maintenance could save your life.
The difference between early detection and late detection is huge. If melanoma is caught before it spreads, the five-year survival rate is an incredible 99%. When it has spread, the survival rate plummets to 35%.
I’m not trying to alarm you, I’m just laying out the facts.
The ABCDE Method for Self Examinations
Dermatologists have an easy way to identify potentially harmful moles…
It’s called the ABCDE method and it goes like this:
- A is for Asymmetry – One half doesn’t match the other
- B is for Border – Edges are notched, uneven or blurred
- C is for Color – Color isn’t consistent throughout; it may be a mix of shades like brown, black, pink, red, white or blue
- D is for Diameter – The size is larger than 6 millimeters, roughly the size of a pencil eraser
- E is for Evolving – The mole is changing in size, shape or color
Here’s why this is the most powerful method…
Anyone can do this at home. It just takes a little time, a mirror and good lighting. Examine your entire body, including hard-to-see places like your back and scalp, once a month.
The ABCDE method isn’t a replacement for professional skin cancer detection either.
Professional screenings catch the things the untrained eye misses.
Dermoscopy: The Magnifying Tool That Is Changing Detection
Skin cancer detection by a professional is key.
This is where technology comes in.
A process called dermoscopy involves a special magnifying device called a dermoscope. It lights up and magnifies the area in question. When used during a skin exam, dermoscopy has been shown to improve detection accuracy by up to 30% when compared to the naked eye.
Let me explain.
The dermoscope helps you see details in the skin that are invisible to the naked eye. Color and light reflection become magnified, revealing details about underlying blood vessel patterns, skin architecture and other clues that might indicate cancer. Dermatologists use this information to differentiate between harmless and potentially dangerous moles and lesions.
Professional doctors that offer skin cancer detection, like us, know this is key…
It’s painless and takes just minutes. The technology available to dermatologists today is game-changing.
Mole Mapping: Track Skin Changes Over Time
Want to know one of the most advanced detection methods out there?
Digital mole mapping involves taking a full photographic record of your skin. Doctors document every mole, freckle and spot with high-resolution images. They then compare new photos over time to track changes.
Here’s the real benefit of this method…
Digital mole mapping is great at catching gradual changes that occur over months or years. It spots trends you might not notice on a day-to-day basis. It’s particularly helpful for those with a lot of moles or a family history of melanoma. Any mole that has changed in size, shape or color gets flagged by the system.
Artificial Intelligence Detection
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is making waves in skin cancer detection.
Machine learning algorithms have been developed to accurately analyze and diagnose skin lesions. Certain systems rival or even outperform dermatologists in accuracy for some forms of skin cancer.
AI works by being trained on millions of images of human skin, both cancerous and non-cancerous. The AI system learns to recognize patterns that indicate cancer, even in its earliest stages. In the future, these tools will be used in conjunction with human medical expertise to provide a multi-layered skin assessment.
But one thing to keep in mind is…
AI technology is a tool, not a replacement for human doctors.
The Complete Guide To Total Body Photography
Full-body imaging is another cutting-edge detection method.
Total body photography involves taking a series of standardized full-body images from multiple angles.
Here’s how it works…
Professional doctors that offer skin cancer detection create a complete photographic record of your skin. The best part is, the imaging process is quick and easy. Taken in consistent lighting conditions, the set of images is used as a baseline reference for tracking changes over time.
And here’s why it matters…
With nearly 212,200 new melanoma cases expected by 2025, monitoring skin changes more closely than ever. Total body photography helps catch suspicious changes early.
Prevention: Don’t Risk It
The best method of skin cancer detection is prevention.
Prevention, is better than cure, right? The most effective prevention methods are also some of the simplest. Sun protection is the foundation of any skin cancer prevention strategy. This includes:
- Daily use of a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen
- Seek shade during midday hours
- Wear protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats
- Avoid tanning beds at all costs
- Regular self-examinations
Here’s the big takeaway…
Sunburns, particularly in childhood and adolescence, double the risk of melanoma. Prevention needs to start early and be a lifelong commitment.
Warning Signs For When To See A Specialist
Any of the above warning signs should be assessed by a doctor.
Go see a professional doctor for an evaluation if you notice:
- A new mole that is significantly different from your others
- A mole that has changed in size, shape or color
- A sore that has not healed within a few weeks
- A spot that has become painful, itchy or is bleeding
- Any mole with ABCDE warning signs
If you fall into any of the above categories, be sure to see a dermatologist.
The Ultimate Guide On How To Detect Skin Cancer + Tools
The technology doctors use to detect skin cancer is light years ahead of what it was even a decade ago.
Advances like dermoscopy, digital mole mapping, total body photography and AI are making detections faster, more accurate and non-invasive. These advanced technologies, layered on top of monthly self-exams and professional skin screenings, create a powerful multi-tiered safety net.
But in the end, the most important detection tool is you.
Stay aware of your own skin. Check it monthly and see a dermatologist annually. Follow a dedicated sun protection routine. Simple actions like these significantly reduce your risk and improve treatment outcomes if cancer is detected.
The 99% survival rate for early-detected melanoma makes early detection key.
Don’t take your skin health for granted, make regular detection and prevention a priority.
