Everyone who spends time out in the sun is at risk of developing skin cancer. Sun exposure also accumulates over time. That means time spent out in the sun when you were a teenager can show up as sun damage decades later. Regular skin cancer screenings with your dermatologist are an effective way to detect the early signs of skin cancer. Dr. Robert Young and Dr. Jared Heaton at Rocky Mountain Dermatology provide a wide range of medical and cosmetic dermatology services, including skin cancer screenings. They have several convenient office locations in North Logan, Brigham City, Washington Terrace, Marriott-Slaterville, and Bountiful, UT.
How Skin Cancer Screenings Can Help You
There are several factors which can increase your risk of developing skin cancer, including having:
- Fair skin and freckles
- A tendency to sunburn easily and severely
- A past history of skin cancer
- A family history of skin cancer
- A habit of spending long periods of time out in the sun
You should visit your dermatologist at least once each year, and more often if you are at high risk of skin cancer. During a skin cancer screening, your dermatologist will examine your skin, looking for early signs of skin cancer, which are:
- Large moles, with a diameter 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
- Red, scaly patches of skin or open sores
If any abnormalities are found, your dermatologist may take a tissue sample or remove the mole and send it off for a biopsy. A biopsy determines if cancerous cells are present, and what type of skin cancer you have.
Prevention is the key to avoiding skin cancer, so you need to:
- Wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 daily, or at least SPF 50 if you are outside for a long period of time
- Wear a hat, sunglasses, and other protective clothing
- Try to stay out of direct sunlight between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, 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. Robert Young and Dr. Jared Heaton at Rocky Mountain Dermatology. You can reach them in their offices in North Logan, Brigham City, Washington Terrace, Marriott-Slaterville, and Bountiful, UT, by calling (435) 787-0560 for the office in North Logan, UT, (801) 827-9100 for the offices in Brigham City, Washington Terrace, and Marriott-Slaterville, UT, and (801) 797-9121 for the office in Bountiful, UT, so call today.