Dermatologist emphasizes skin cancer screenings

BUDA — Many individuals may forget to schedule dermatologist appointments, or fail to meet with a skin professional entirely, due to the misconception that skin cancer is not a worrisome disease.

Dermatologist Dr. Erica Stevens of Baylor Scott & White Health explained that “some people may assume that skin cancer is not a serious health issue, but if skin cancer is untreated, particularly melanoma, it can, in some cases, spread to other parts of the body if not caught early and untreated.”

This experience happened to a coworker of David Davidson, a former Buda resident.

“I actually worked with someone years ago who didn’t get [his skin screened] early on and it ended up as cancer in the lymph nodes. He had to have surgery and chemotherapy. … He beat it and is still alive and well today, but that kind of put a bit of urgency to stay on top of [going to the dermatologist] regularly,” said Davidson.

Though Davidson has had some scares, he was able to avoid the escalation to cancer by scheduling skin screenings annually.

“During the first visit, she found a spot that was suspicious and did a biopsy. Sure enough, it was basal cell cancer carcinoma and [the doctor] suggested that I [have it removed] … That could have been worse than it was, yet because of a regular checkup, it was not going to be a major issue,” said Davidson.

Dermatologists have no official timeline as to when one should start making appointments regularly, but individuals who are predisposed to the disease should at least make an initial appointment for a screening.

“There are no defined guidelines or recommendations for when someone should start getting skin exams, which is different than other screening tests like colonoscopies or mammograms, for example,” said Dr. Stevens. “Risk factors that may put someone at higher risk of developing skin cancer include history of indoor tanning, history of sunburns, lighter skin color that burns easily with sun exposure, a family history of skin cancer and people who are immunosuppressed.”

A common mistake that many make is assuming every spot that appears on one’s body is a mole. Although there is no definitive way to know without a consultation, signs to watch out for that could indicate a more serious issue, such as a carcinoma, are skin discoloration, uneven borders or a spot that continuously changes.

There is no way to entirely prevent skin cancer, but using sunscreen that is an SPF 30 or higher and wearing protective clothing are easy ways to help reduce the risk.

“If someone is reluctant to [see a dermatologist], I would let them know that [they] are usually quick office visits. If a mole needs to be removed, a mole biopsy is also a quick procedure that is typically done on the same day with minimal down time,” urges Dr. Stevens.

Davidson agrees with this sentiment stating, “If you’ve had sun exposure or haven’t taken precautions, it’s a quick trip to the dermatologist. If they don’t find anything, it’s good news. If they find something early, it can be treated. … Go get a skin screening and pay attention. [Skin cancer] is real and it can be a lot worse if you don’t visit a doctor.”