Why Should I Get A Skin Cancer Screening?

Every day, nearly 9,500 people in the United States find out they have skin cancer. At the current rates of diagnosis, 1 out of every 5 people in the US will have skin cancer at some point during their life. 

At Associated Skin Care Specialists, our board-certified dermatologists are experts at diagnosing and treating skin cancer. Our team includes dermatological surgeons who are trained to perform Mohs micrographic surgery, a skin cancer treatment with a 99% cure rate. 

Like any health issue, finding skin cancer during the early stages increases your chances of a full recovery. Anyone can develop skin cancer. Are you at risk?

Here, we want to share with you some of the reasons you should get a skin cancer screening.

You’re at risk

You definitely need a skin cancer screening if you’re at risk of developing skin cancer. You’re at risk if you have:

• Fair skin
• Naturally blonde or red hair
• Light colored eyes
• Skin that burns easily
• Skin that freckles easily
• A history of a blistering sunburn
• A family history of skin cancer
• A personal history of skin cancer
• Excessive sun exposure 
• More than 50 moles

Most types of skin cancer occur from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. The UV rays damage the DNA in the skin cells, causing abnormal cells that grow at a rapid pace, leading to a skin lesion. 

You find an unusual growth

You also need to get your skin checked if you find any type of unusual growth. Skin cancer comes in all shapes, colors, sizes, and textures. Doing your own skin screenings at home helps you become familiar with your skin, making it easier for you to spot abnormalities.

Schedule a skin screening right away if you find any unusual, new, or changing moles. These are signs of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. 

We also recommend that you come in for a skin screening if you have a pearly bump on your face; flat, colored lesion on your body; or a crusty sore that bleeds. These unusual growths may be signs of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the two most common types of skin cancer.

Screening saves lives

Though thorough, a skin cancer screening takes less than 30 minutes. During this one simple exam, we may find unusual growths you didn’t know you had. We may remove them immediately or schedule another appointment for removal.

After we remove the abnormal skin lesion, we send the tissue sample to our dermatopathology department for evaluation and diagnosis. If your growth is cancerous, we may have you return every year for a skin screening. We also talk to you about the steps you can take to protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer. 

Currently, there are no set guidelines for skin cancer screenings. However, there are plenty of reasons why you should get your skin checked. 

We provide skin cancer screenings at our dermatology offices in Blaine, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, New Brighton, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Call the office nearest you today to schedule your skin screening.

We also have an office in Fridley, Minnesota.