Check Your Skin - It’s Easy and Necessary
It’s always sun season here in Brevard County, so it’s always a good time to check in with Cancer Care Centers of Brevard. When detected early, skin cancer is almost always curable. This is why it’s so important to know your skin through regular self-exams and then follow up with your dermatologist.
“It is so very important to follow annual screening guidelines,” said Renee Gates, oncology liaison for Cancer Care Centers of Brevard. “The greatest risk for skin cancers progressing is delaying evaluation of a suspicious lesion — a common factor in patients who just put off having it checked out too long.”
With seven locations and eight different clinics serving patients in Brevard, Cancer Care Centers of Brevard has a rich history that dates back over four decades. Founder Dr. Silas Charles, now retired, is a cancer survivor. HIs legacy is continued through the nine dedicated physicians and three nurse practitioners who make up the provider cadre that serves patients both in clinics and through various community education and fundraising events.
Drs. Ravi Shankar, Rahul Chopra and Todd Panarese carry on the mission of Dr. Charles by leading the practice and partnering with other physicians and providers throughout the county to achieve well-rounded and evidence-based treatment strategies. They also engage in continuing education to remain at the forefront of cutting-edge research and effective treatments for all types of cancers.
Some of the most common cancers the doctors treat include leukemia, breast, lung, prostate, liver, and brain. But skin cancers are something patients can head off with self-checks.
“With the skin being the largest organ of the body, there are a number of locations to look for signs of changes that warrant a check in with your dermatologist or primary care provider,” Gates said.
“Skin cancer screenings are very important. People tend to think of skin cancer as a spot that can be removed easily, however undetected and untreated skin cancer can be fatal… skin cancers can also metastasize to other parts of the body.”
How to Check Your Skin
Sun exposure isn’t the only risk factor when it comes to developing skin cancer; that is why it’s important to examine all of your skin, including places that aren’t often (or ever) exposed to the sun or UV rays.
- Take note of all spots on your body: freckles, moles, birthmarks, age spots, bumps, sores, scabs, open wounds that bleed, and scaly patches.
- Use a full-length mirror, hand mirror, bright lighting, and record findings. When possible, ask someone to help check hard-to-see places.
- Examine body front and back, then look at the right and left sides with arms raised. Women should lift breasts to view the undersides.
- Bend elbows and look at forearms, underarms, and palms. Also, check between fingers and under fingernails.
- Look at backs of legs and feet, between toes, and soles of feet.
- Check back of neck and scalp with hand mirror. Part hair to get a closer look.
- Examine back and buttocks with hand mirror.
Cancer Care Centers of Brevard
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