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Skin Cancer Screening
Importance of Skin Cancer ScreeningSkin Cancer screening will detect skin cancer lesions early . This means that they can be managed prior to progressing to more dangerous lesions that require surgical excision to manage. Skin cancer has a high cure rate when detected early. What happens during a skin check?Your doctor will first ask you questions about your past medical and dermatological history. Skin cancer can occur non exposed areas such as on the feet, scalp and back. Your doctor will therefore exam all of your skin in a systematic fashion. The doctor will wear magnifying loupes so as to see the skin more clearly and at times will exam your moles with a special instrument that magnifies the features of your moles. Dermatologists are highly trained in skin examination and can recognize abnormal features rapidly and accurately. Types of Skin CancersActinic Keratosis (AK)Actinic keratosis are pre-cancerous lesions. Without treatment a significant proportion of these will develop into skin cancer (SCC or squamous cell carcinoma). SCC’s can be potentially life threatening skin cancers and usually require surgery to manage.
There are many field treatments for the management of AK’s and these include 5 Flurouracil (Efudix), Imiquimoid (Aldara), Chemical peels, photodynamic therapy and laser resurfacing. Each of these modalities has its pros and cons and these can be discussed with your dermatologist.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
The type of BCC dictates the modality of treatment selected to manage them. BCC’s are curable lesions, usually grow slowly over a number of months or years, and are usually locally invasive in the skin only and do not spread to the lymph nodes or internal organs.
Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC’s)Bowens disease is also known as “Squamous cell carcinoma in situ”. Site, size and various individual factors dictate the modality of treatment. There are multiple possible modalities including cryotherapy, curettage and cautery, topical 5-flurouracil (Efudix), Imiquimoid (Aldara), Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and Surgical excision. SCC’s often arise from a pre-existing solar or actinic keratoses. SCC’s vary in severity and are classified according to how differentiated they are ie well, moderately or poorly differentiated. Poorly differentiated lesions have the greatest risk of spread to regional lymph nodes. Managing these can be difficult and usually requires surgical intervention.
Melanoma
Self examination of moles is essential. Look for a change in size, shape or colour of your mole. The ABCD rule is a helpful guide.
Skin Self ExaminationBetween seeing your doctor it’s important to regularly exam your own skin. Some people take photos of their skin and at the change of a season closely exam their skin comparing it to their recorded photos. Sun Protection and AvoidanceSun avoidance is as essential as sun protection. Wear a broad brimmed hat, sunglasses, protective tight weaved clothing and choose to sit in the shade. Sunscreen needs to be used correctly. Apply generous amounts, 20 mins prior to going out in the sun, and reapply every 2 hours. A moisturizer containing SPF that is applied in the morning will not protect you at lunchtime.
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 08 August 2010 16:03 |
Sunspots rarely occur in isolation. The presence of one AK usually means that there are more. Some AK’s are clearly visible, some may be less obvious to the human eye ie microscopic. Hence, to manage AK’s correctly a “field” treatment is often necessary. A “field” means a region of skin eg a nose, or a forehead, a cheek, or in some severe cases a full face.
Melanoma is a potentially fatal skin cancer. Early detection is life saving. Individuals at risk of melanoma include those with fair skin, family history or personal history of melanoma, history of multiple sun burns, or a large number of atypical dysplastic moles.