Does Your Dermatologist Use This New Tool for Skin Cancer Detection?
Did you know there are new tools for dermatologists to use in detecting skin cancers?
Recent advancements in computer and laser technologies, and polarizing lights aid dermatologists in noninvasive skin examination, providing more accurate information in diagnosing skin cancers.
This is very comforting to someone like me, who is now developing skin cancers resulting from many years of overexposure to the sun. My former dermatologists would look over my skin from head to toe on an annual basis, looking closer if I mentioned a change in a spot on my skin. My first skin cancer was diagnosed only after I requested a suspicious looking spot be biopsied. It came back positive, requiring surgical excision.
The surface lesion itself was very small – about the size of the @ sign. When the surgery was completed, I was left with a scar the size of a quarter. That’s when I knew I needed to find another dermatologist, one who listened and took me seriously when I reported changes in the characteristics of spots on my skin.
Upon my first visit to my new dermatologist, I was pleasantly surprised when he pulled out a handheld device, the size of a cell phone, and began placing it on my moles and other skin spots. He looked very closely at each one, studying them, turning the scope around to get different angles.
The device he uses is called a Dermatascope, which allows him to look at my skin’s pigment through special filters. These filters provide enhanced visualization of the pigments in the skin lesions, allowing him a closer look at specific features that could possibly indicate melanomas.
The importance of using a tool like the Dermatascope is the ability to assess skin lesions in greater detail, and hopefully catch potential skin cancers much earlier. Earlier detection means better outcomes for people with skin cancer.
How do I know if a spot could be cancer? Great question! The American Academy of Dermatology has a wonderful resource for you to use in tracking your moles. Go to http://www.melanomamonday.org and download the Body Mole Map. It’s an excellent guide and format to identify and follow your suspicious skin spots.
You will also find the Academy’s ABCDE’s of detecting melanomas:
A = Asymmetry = one half unlike the other half.
B = Border = irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
C = Color = varies form one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red, or blue.
D = Diameter = the size of a pencil eraser or larger.
E = Evolving = looks different from the rest or changing in size, shape, or color.
I want to encourage you to check your skin often, and see your dermatologist regularly to begin tracking those spots that don’t look quite right, or are changing.
It is also important to look at your skin care products and use only those that are nontoxic.
Visit http://www. SafeCosmetics.org to see their list of companies who have pledged to produce products with the least toxicity. You will find Apriori Beauty there! Apriori Beauty is committed to producing products that are Organic, Perform and are all Natural, helping your skin to become healthier at the cellular level. Thank you, Candace Keefe for developing such cutting edge products!!
Healthy Cells = Healthy Skin!
Thanks for stopping by and “Making My Life Beautiful”!
XO Candy
http://www.aprioribeauty.com/fic/candace for more information about Apriori Beauty’s Nutrigenomic Products!
April 7th, 2010 at 9:30 am
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April 9th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Great article, Candy!! LOVE your blog. You’re doing a wonderful job!!
I used you in an example for ou webinar Wed night!
Love ya,
ML
April 9th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Thanks MariLee! Your http://www.cmbresource.com program is Fabulous!! Thank you for all of your excellent advice! XO