“The first step to having healthy skin is knowing and understanding your skin type,” says…
Three Words That Can Save Your Life
Every year Price Skin Care Clinic joins skin health professionals around the world in recognizing May as National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. As we spotlight skin cancer prevention this month, we encourage everyone – no matter where you are – to perform regular skin self-examinations and to schedule an annual physical exam by a trained skin doctor. The article below explains how to do this and why it can SAVE your life!
Skin cancer is the cancer you can see. But for too many, it can go undetected until it’s too late.
That’s why it’s important to perform monthly skin self-examinations and have a trained skin doctor perform an annual exam.
‘The Big See’, a skin cancer prevention website runs an ongoing public awareness campaign to encourage you to open your eyes, get to know your skin, look in the mirror and keep three words in mind that could save your life: NEW, CHANGING AND UNUSUAL.
Here’s what they mean by that:
* NEW: Note any new moles or blemishes that have appeared – especially if you’re over 21.
* CHANGES: Spots on your skin should not change in color, shape, size or texture.
* UNUSUAL: Examine your body for spots that are unusual in their outline or constantly itch, hurt, crust or bleed for more than 21 days.
“The formula recommended by ‘The Big See’ is simple and easy to follow during monthly skin self-checks,” says Richard Price, M.D. of Price Skin Care Clinic of Ridgeland, MS. “If you see anything new, changing or unusual you should make an appointment with your skin doctor and have it checked. It could save your life.”
For more information about skin screenings and skin cancer prevention, see these resources on our website:
Schedule Your Annual Screening During Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Monthly self-checks and an annual exam by a trained skin doctor are the best preventive measures you can take for skin cancer prevention. For more information about how to perform a self-exam and when you should schedule an exam with your physician, click here.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and the most frequently occurring form of all cancers. In the U.S. alone, more than 4 million cases are diagnosed each year. Understanding BCC causes, risk factors and warning signs can help you detect them early, when they are easiest to treat and cure.
You can find more information about Basal cell carcinoma on our website here.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma are the most common form of cancer – and the most preventable. If caught in time and treated, the majority of cases are not life threatening. It is the second most common form of skin cancer and primarily caused by a lifetime of exposure to the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun and tanning beds. When caught early, most SCCs are curable.
You can find more information on squamous cell carcinoma on our website here.
Melanoma
Although Melanoma is not the most common kind of skin cancer it is the most dangerous and deadly. Each year, some 10,000 people die from melanoma-related illnesses. Melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage.
More information about melanoma can be found on our website here.
Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis (AK) is the most common precancer that forms on skin damaged by chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and/or indoor tanning. Those who work outdoors and participate in outdoor recreational activities are especially at risk. Almost all AKs can be eliminated before becoming skin cancer if treated early.
Here is more information on actinic keratosis on our website.