Skin cancer is one of the easiest cancers to detect, yet many patients miss out on timely diagnosis. For some, the fear of an exam or seeing a doctor could be behind the avoidance. One of the best ways to combat these fears or avoidance is through knowledge. Skin cancer screenings are crucial to a healthy life and take relatively little time when paired with San Antonio rhinopehyma treatment options. It is also a painless procedure that ensures doctors have the most up to date information about your current health.
Can I Prepare For The Screening?
Yes, there is a key way to get ready for the upcoming exam. The first and most important is to check your entire body for any new marks or growths. Take note of each one, try to write down where they are in case you forget before the exam. Keep in mind that there is no growth too small to include in a list for your doctor.
It also helps to bring along a family history concerning all cancers but focusing on skin cancer itself. Seeing a family history is important for a doctor as they learn about the risk factors outside of your own life that could play a role in the diagnosis. Also, include your daily routines and whether you follow guidelines like wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.
What Happens During The Actual Screening?
A skin cancer screening is much like that of a yearly physical, except this time the emphasis is on the skin itself. The doctor starts out by sitting down with you to talk about your concerns; this is a good time to bring out that list you made before the exam. It is also a good time to talk about your fears as well as any symptoms you might have experienced that helped lead you to the day’s screening.
After the talk, it is time for the screening itself. To get started, you’ll have to change into a hospital gown; some doctors also provide socks or booties to keep your feet warm during the exam. The doctor will begin at the top of your head as they work their way down your entire body. During this time, they may include light or magnification tools to improve their chances of catching a small or hidden spot. In either case, the doctor will also wear gloves for moments that they come in contact with your skin.
After it is complete, the doctor will go over their findings. Their main starting point is to keep you aware of what they were looking for and what they found. If something did pique their interest or fit the suspicion that more tests are needed, the doctor will take the time to explain that as well. Anything that does appear out of the ordinary may require a biopsy or additional tool to give you a complete diagnosis.
Visiting a doctor for regular skin cancer screenings are important for long term health. With so many cases diagnosed each year in America, the chances of recovering if caught in time only continue to grow. All of it matters on making the informed decision to learn about the disease and have a professional test for the condition.
