citizensmemorial.com 9 Is it skin cancer? Watch for the warning signs Checking your body for suspicious moles may save your life. Here’s what to look for and when to call the doctor. Know your ABCDEs Spotting the signs of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, is as easy as ABCDE. Here’s what those letters stand for: Asymmetrical. Check for irregularly shaped spots or moles. Border. Look for jagged edges or poorly defined borders around spots. Color. Take note if a growth’s color is darker or lighter in some areas. Diameter. Look for moles and spots larger than a pea. Evolving. Be alert to any changes, like a sore that doesn’t heal. “The key things to watch for are lesions that are new or changing in size, shape or color; things that hurt, itch or bleed; or wounds that don’t heal,” says Murphy Mastin, M.D., a board certified dermatologist at the CMH Dermatology Clinic. “Anything that you’re concerned about would be something to bring up to your primary care provider.” Practice sun safety Being alert to signs of cancer is one part of taking care of your skin. The other is daily sun safety. Don’t forget to: Wear protective gear. Longsleeved shirts and long pants, hats, and sunglasses can keep the sun off your skin and eyes. Use sunscreen. Slather broadspectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) over any skin that sees the sun. Seek shade. Trees, awnings and umbrellas are your friends when you want to protect your skin. “UV radiation from the sun is the primary culprit,” Dr. Mastin says. “Around 90% of skin cancers are related to sun exposure and lack of adequate sun protection.” Call 417-328-4500 to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist at the CMH Dermatology Clinic. Do a skin check in 4 steps Check all over Skin cancer can appear anywhere, from head to toe. Have your partner check areas you can’t see. Or use a mirror. Map your moles Draw a simple outline of the front and back of your body, as well as the sides of your face and the bottoms of your feet. Recording spots on this map may help you track any skin changes. Look for changes These include new or suspicious spots or spots that change, itch or bleed. Tell a doctor See a doctor if you find any changes that concern you. Call 417-328-4500 for more information or to schedule an appointment. ● Leaving the smallest possible scar. Ajdin Kobic, M.D., and Murphy Mastin, M.D., at the CMH Dermatology Clinic, are board certified in dermatology and micrographic surgery. surgeon cuts away thin layers of skin, looking closely for signs of cancer. Benefits of the procedure compared to a traditional incision include: ● Removal of all cancerous cells. ● A higher cure rate. ● Preserving more healthy skin tissue. Ajdin Kobic, M.D. Murphy Mastin, M.D.
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