On May 30th Skin Care Doctors, P.A. helped serve the community by offering free skin cancer screenings during a SPOTme® skin cancer awareness event in their Burnsville office. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and one person dies from melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – every hour. Yet when caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
“Skin cancer is one of the only cancers that can be seen on the surface of the skin,” said Michael Ebertz, M.D. “Yet many people don’t know how to spot skin cancer, including what to look for on their skin or when they should see a dermatologist.”
To increase people’s chances of spotting skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone learn the ABCDEs of melanoma, which outline the warning signs of this disease:
- A – is for Asymmetry: One half of the spot is unlike the other half.
- B – is for Border: The spot has an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.
- C – is for Color: The spot has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red or blue.
- D – is for Diameter: While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (or about the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
- E – is for Evolving: A mole or spot on your skin looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.
“It only takes a few minutes to check your skin, and it could save your life,” said Dr. Ebertz. “If you notice anything changing, itching or bleeding on your skin, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist, as these are often early warning signs of skin cancer.”
It’s estimated that more than 1,640 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in Minnesota this year. Although skin cancer is more common among people with light or fair skin tones, everyone is at risk for this life-threatening disease.
For more information about how to prevent and detect skin cancer, including instructions on how to perform a skin self-exam, visit SPOTme.org. There, you can download a body mole map for tracking changes in your skin and find free SPOTme® skin cancer screenings in your area.
The SPOTme® skin cancer screening program is part of the American Academy of Dermatology’s SPOT Skin Cancer™ initiative, a campaign to create a world without skin cancer through public awareness, community outreach programs and services, and advocacy that promote the prevention, detection and care of skin cancer.
###
About SPOTme®
The SPOTme® skin cancer screening program, supported by a grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb, is part of the Academy’s larger SPOT Skin Cancer™ initiative, a campaign to create a world without skin cancer through public awareness, community outreach programs and services, and advocacy that promote the prevention, detection and care of skin cancer. Since 1985, Academy dermatologists have conducted more than 2.4 million free skin cancer screenings and have detected nearly 248,000 suspicious lesions, including more than 27,500 suspected melanomas. To learn more about the SPOTme® campaign and to find free skin cancer screenings near you, visit SPOTme.org.
American Academy of Dermatology
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 19,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. For more information, contact the AAD at 1-888-462-DERM (3376) or aad.org. Follow the AAD on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology), Twitter (@AADskin) or YouTube (AcademyofDermatology).
Skin Care Doctors, P.A. physicians provide the finest leading-edge dermatologic care in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro area. They offer diagnosis and treatment for patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly whether for concerns and problems of the skin, hair and nails.
