“I have some bad news. The skin cancer has spread. Grandpa only has six months to live. When I heard those words, I was in shock. When I went to Direct Primary Care of Boca Raton, I asked them to look for skin cancer. Thankfully, I was in the clear.” — Christi, DPC patient
Skin cancer may seem like one of the milder forms of cancer, but when you live in South Florida, located in the Sunshine State, sunburns come easy. Getting annual skin cancer screening is vital to your health. You may not be aware that five or more sunburns doubles your risk of developing skin cancer. Additionally, 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the United States, with more than two people dying of skin cancer each hour.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Early detection of skin cancer is imperative. Direct Primary Care of Boca Raton wants you to be aware of some signs skin cancer may present. Thanks to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you can easily remember these tips by knowing your ABCs.
- Asymmetry
If the lesion is not symmetrical in size, it could be a sign of melanoma.
- Border
Melanoma often has an irregular, notched, or scalloped border.
- Color
Color changes, such as multiple colors or an uneven distribution of color, can be a sign of skin cancer.
- Diameter or Dark
While it’s ideal to detect melanoma when it’s small, it’s a warning sign if a lesion is larger than a pencil eraser or darker than other moles.
- Evolving
If a mole or lesion changes over time, meaning there is rapid growth or any growth, it can be a sign of melanoma.
With skin cancer diagnoses being the highest of all other cancers combined, we strongly encourage you to make an appointment with us or your primary care physician.
At DPC of Boca Raton, we use Dermoscopy, also known as dermatoscopy or skin surface microscopy. This a non-invasive technique used to evaluate and differentiate lesions from dysplastic lesions, melanomas, and non-melanoma skin cancers.
A Dermoscopy screening only takes 15 minutes. If you are concerned about your health and see an unusual colored mole or growth on your skin, please don’t waste another minute. If you are a DPC of Boca Raton member, this screening is covered under your monthly membership.
If you are not a member of Direct Primary Care and you are looking for affordable and personalized care, discover how we can address your medical needs today!
Sources:
Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics [Internet] Skin Cancer Foundation [Updated February 2024] Available from: https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
7 Signs of Skin Cancer You Might Not Know About [Internet] Corewell Health [June 28, 2022] Available from:
https://www.beaumont.org/health-wellness/blogs/signs-of-skin-cancer-you-might-not-know-about
How Can I Tell If I Have Skin Cancer? [Internet] American Academy of Dermatology Association [Accessed June 22, 2024] Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/know-how
Melanoma Warning Sign [Internet] Skin Cancer Foundation [Updated January 2021] Available from: https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images/