Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer Screening & Treatment
We all need sunlight and vitamin D for our bodies to function properly. But as we all know, too much sunlight can actually cause serious damage and even, on occasion, terminal illness. Skin cancer (melanoma) is a serious threat to your health, but not every new blemish or suspicious mole is cancerous or precancerous. Though we might use the ABCDE method to check our blemishes at home, sometimes a professional is required to give us the final say.
At Paragould Plastic, we can give you the peace of mind you’re looking for when it comes to skin blemishes. In the event that a blemish demonstrates a few of the telltale signs, we can take biopsies, run tests, and even recommend next steps while keeping our patients educated and optimistic! It’s vital to detect melanoma as early as possible to ensure the best course of treatment, so if you’ve had your eye on a particularly dubious skin blemish, let our Paragould Plastic professionals take a look today.
The ABCDE Method
Each year, at-home skin checks save lives. The more vigilant we remain about the possibility of melanoma, the more likely we are to catch potentially dangerous blemishes before they turn into something worse.
Keep an eye on your blemishes by employing the ABCDE method for detecting melanoma. In the event that your blemish demonstrates one or more of the following irregularities, contact the expert physicians at Paragould Plastic to arrange a skin cancer screening.
The opposite characteristics are usually true for benign blemishes (symmetrical, smooth borders, singularly colored, smaller than 6mm in diameter, and without drastic changes over time). If you, or someone you love, notices one or more of these listed characteristics, consider coming in for a screen cancer screening at Paragould Plastic. Early detection saves lives.
Who’s eligible?
Instances of melanoma are more prevalent in those aged 60 or above. Even so, it’s not uncommon for melanoma to strike people below the age of 30. To make a long answer short, anyone of any age with a blemish matching the qualifications of the ABCDE method should get that blemish checked ASAP. Remember: melanoma is most successfully treated when detected early.
Skin Cancer FAQ
The ABCDE method is an excellent guide for at-home melanoma screenings. Still, at the end of the day, a diagnosis should only ever be made by a licensed medical professional. If your blemish meets one or more of the ABCDE criteria, then you should have it inspected by a trusted physician like those at Paragould Plastic.
The chances are good that your existing insurance provider will cover a cancer screening under the terms of your policy. Generally speaking, cancer screenings are considered preventive care—a type of checkup usually accommodated under most insurance policies. Check with your insurance provider for more information.
All forms of cancer are dangerous. Melanoma affects upwards of 100,000 people each year (or 0.03% of the US population). However, early detection can drastically increase your chances of successful treatment. When caught early, melanoma is regularly survivable. Don’t put off a cancer screening if you suspect that a blemish may be cancerous.