Should You Get a Skin Cancer Screening?

Isn’t it about time you scheduled your upcoming skin cancer evaluation with us?

Even if you aren’t noticing any changes in your skin, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still consider the importance of getting a skin cancer screening. Our Wellesley Hills, MA, dermatologists Dr. Michael Goldaber, Dr. Elaine Kaye and Dr. David Aghassi are here to tell you how often you should be coming in for a routine screening and what symptoms warrant an upcoming visit.

First and foremost, are you performing skin screenings once a month on yourself? If you aren’t, you should start immediately. Why? This monthly self-exam can be one of the best ways to detect problems early on when they are often easier to treat. This should be a habit that everyone adopts, whether you have any risk factors or not.

Of course, at least once a year you should visit our Wellesley Hills skin doctors for a full skin cancer screening. We have the specialized training to be able to detect changes or problems with certain growths, moles or freckles. These exams are completely painless and they only take a few minutes to complete. Remember: Coming in to see us for a few minutes once a year could just end up saving your life.

What puts someone at risk for developing skin cancer?

While anyone can develop skin cancer, there are certainly some factors that can predispose someone to develop this form of cancer. Some risk factors include:

• Using tanning beds
• Having fair skin
• Having blue or green eyes
• Having blonde or red hair
• Having a lot of freckles
• Being outdoors for long periods of time
• A family history of skin cancer
• A personal history of skin cancer
• Having experienced sunburns in your childhood

If you are someone who burns easily and doesn’t really tan, then exposing your skin to UVA and UVB rays could be harmful to your skin’s health. Of course everyone, regardless of whether you tan or not, should apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every day that has at least an SPF of 15.

Protect the health of your skin by getting a skin cancer screening in Wellesley Hills, MA. Newton Wellesley Dermatology Associates are here to make sure that your skin gets the care it needs to both look and feel its best. Book an appointment with us today.