When To See A Skin Cancer Doctor?

You notice a funky-looking new mole on your arm. Or maybe an odd scaly patch on your face that won’t go away. Should you get it looked at by a skin cancer doctor right away?

In this guide, we’ll talk about the signs when it’s time to get a suspicious spot examined by a dermatologist. I’ll share what to watch out for and what the process is like to get skin stuff checked professionally.

Let’s shed some light on when you need to see a skin cancer doctor and get weird skin issues inspected by the pros like sundoctors.com.au. 

Why Skin Cancer is Serious Stuff

Before we dive in, let’s go over why skin cancer is such a big deal in the first place. There are a few main reasons it’s so critical to get suspicious spots checked:

• Skin cancer is super common, especially among sun-loving folks. Over 3 million Americans are diagnosed every year.
  
• It can spread and turn deadly if not treated early. So getting weird skin changes evaluated ASAP is key to stopping cancer in its tracks.
  
• Checking out problems early when they are small increases treatment success and survival rates dramatically.
  
• Plus, treatments are way simpler when skin cancer is caught early on. Often just a basic office procedure, not major surgery or other intense treatments needed in late stage cases.
  

So in summary – abnormal skin issues are ubiquitous, and early expert diagnosis leads to simpler, more successful treatment. That’s why checking out anything weird with a dermatologist is so dang crucial.

Types of Skin Cancer to Watch Out For

Let’s go over the main kinds of skin cancer that doctors look out for. The big three are:

Basal cell carcinoma – This is the most common type. It usually appears as a fleshy bump or pinkish patch that won’t heal. BCCs bleed easily if injured and can look somewhat translucent.

Squamous cell carcinoma – SCCs show up as scaly red patches or open sores. They tend to crust and bleed and may hurt. Found often on the face, lips, ears or back of the hands.

Melanoma – The most dangerous skin cancer. Melanoma can appear as new dark spots or moles, or changes in the size, shape or coloring of an existing mole. Needs prompt treatment.

Those are the major ones to know. But basically any new spot or mole that bleeds, itches, hurts or just doesn’t seem right could potentially be pre-cancerous. Time to get it looked at.

Red Flags for Skin Issues Requiring a Doctor Visit

Okay, you’ve got a general idea of symptoms to watch out for. But how do you know for sure it’s time to get something evaluated professionally? Here are some clear red flags:

• A sore that won’t properly heal after 2-3 weeks. It persists and won’t disappear.
  
• A spot that drastically changes in size, shape or color in a short time. Like a mole getting way darker.
  
• Any spot that bleeds, oozes, or crusts repeatedly when not injured. Not normal.
  
• Widespread itching, pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere on the skin.
  
• Appearance of dark streaks under fingernails or toenails (could be melanoma).
  
• New transparent, pearl-like bumps that may contain fluid (likely BCCs).
  

Basically, any drastic skin changes or symptoms outside the norm need a dermatologist’s expert eye as soon as possible. Don’t wait around on something that looks potentially suspicious.

What Happens During a Skin Cancer Screening

Okay, so you’ve noticed some odd skin issue that seems like it should be evaluated. What exactly will happen when you see the skin doc?

First, the dermatologist will examine the particular spot or mole you’re concerned about. They will look for the ABCD warning signs of melanoma: Asymmetry, irregular Borders, varied Colors, and large Diameter over 6mm.

Using a special magnifying instrument, the doctor will analyze the lesion for any strange or alarming features. They may measure it to see if it falls in the danger zone size-wise.

If the growth looks questionable, the dermatologist may biopsy it, meaning removing a tiny sample of skin cells to be examined under a microscope. This is the only way to confirm if abnormal cells are indeed present.

If melanoma or another skin cancer is diagnosed from the first biopsy, a second wider excisional biopsy may be done to remove additional tissue and check that no cancer remains. This helps ensure full removal of the cancer.

For more widespread suspicion, the doctor may conduct a full body scan, thoroughly inspecting the skin from head to toe for any weird spots needing biopsy.

When to Get Screened for Skin Cancer

Remember, early detection of skin cancer is crucial for successful treatment. So when should you start getting periodic skin checks and screenings? Here are some general guidelines:

• Age 20 – Start doing monthly self-exams of your skin so you’ll notice any changes. Learn what’s normal for your body.
  
• Age 40 – Begin seeing a dermatologist once a year for a professional skin check. Higher risk folks should start annual exams earlier.
  
• Any age – Get screened immediately if you notice anything suspicious like our red flag symptoms discussed earlier.
  
• Prior skin cancer – If you’ve had skin cancer before, be vigilant with self-checks and see your dermatologist every 3-6 months.
  

Follow these recommendations to catch any potential skin cancers early when they are most treatable. Don’t ignore worrisome spots. And protect your skin from sun damage by wearing sunscreen, hats, and UV-blocking clothing to lower future risk.

Conclusion

Hopefully now you feel armed with knowledge about the signs, it’s time to get worrisome skin marks evaluated. Don’t mess around with your skin health. The earlier the better when it comes to diagnosing abnormalities that could indicate skin cancer.

Any sudden or unexplained changes to your skin, especially moles or sores, deserve a dermatologist’s expert eye. Don’t panic, but don’t delay either. Prompt professional screening is the smartest way to stay safe and catch problems at their earliest, most treatable stages.

Here’s to keeping your skin healthy and happy. Stay vigilant with self-checks and see a doctor for anything suspicious. Getting peace of mind that a weird spot is harmless or early treatment if needed is the gift of early screening. Love your skin enough to watch over it.