Skin cancer can happen to anyone at any age and is the最常见的根据美国皮肤科学院协会的说法,美国的癌症。但是有些皮肤癌,例如黑色素瘤,是more common in men比女性。虽然黑色素瘤是皮肤癌最致命的,但早期发现它可以治愈。

看到一个皮肤科医生for regular skin cancer screenings can help you detect the early signs of skin cancer. Finding and treating skin cancer early helps give you a better chance to reduce or avoid the complications of untreated skin cancer.

还有许多其他理由去看皮肤科医生,包括:

  • addressing physical signs of agingthat you may want to address, such as wrinkles or skin discoloration
  • 诊断脱发的根本原因并探索可能有助于保存或恢复头发的治疗方法
  • treating other skin conditionslikeacne,,,,rosacea, 或者静脉曲张
  • 诊断和治疗皮疹瘙痒或其他与皮肤相关的症状,包括由接触过敏引起的症状

让我们看一下:

  • what you can expect from a skin cancer screening or a total body skin exam with a dermatologist
  • 您应该多久看一次皮肤科医生
  • what else you can do reduce your risk for skin cancer

每月进行整个身体自我检查是一个好主意。进行自我检查时,请查看皮肤的所有区域,包括头皮,腹股沟,手和脚。这样,您可以更轻松地注意到:

  • any new or changing moles
  • 任何不消失的粉红色鳞片斑点
  • new growths
  • 瘙痒病
  • 自己流血的增长
  • 任何非治疗溃疡
  • any other growths or lesions of concern

You should also do a self-check before you go to your skin cancer screening appointment and take note of any changes you want to ask your dermatologist, which may include:

  • 变色
  • 增长
  • moles of concern or ones that are changing
  • 团块

在预约之前,这也是一个好主意,与直系亲属(父母,兄弟姐妹或孩子)结帐,并询问他们是否患有皮肤癌,尤其是黑色素瘤,因为黑色素瘤可能是遗传的。

If you’re concerned about any spots or changes to your skin, your dermatologist may ask some of the following questions, so it may help to prepare answers ahead of time:

  • 那里已经多久了?
  • 您是否经历了任何症状或病变改变?如果它发生了变化,则如何(形状,颜色,痛苦,出血等)?
  • 您是否有皮肤癌或癌性病变的个人或家族病史?
  • 你每天戴防晒霜吗?
  • 您有晒伤或晒黑床的历史吗?

皮肤癌筛查通常需要10到15分钟,这取决于检查的广泛程度以及皮肤科医生可能遇到的问题。

Here’s a general idea of what will happen at your appointment:

  1. 您可能会被要求完全脱衣服,并穿上一件浅色的礼服,将背面绑在一起。您也许可以继续穿内衣。在某些情况下,您可能只需要脱衣服,以便您关注的区域可见皮肤科医生。医疗助理,护士或皮肤科医生会让您知道您需要脱掉多少衣服。
  2. 为了进行全面的皮肤检查或皮肤癌筛查,皮肤科医生应注意从头皮到脚趾的所有区域。
  3. If the dermatologist notices any precancerous (actinic keratoses) spots, they will usually treat them with liquid nitrogen, or if there are any lesions of concern, they will typically do a biopsy of the lesion and send it to a dermatopathologist. A dermatopathologist is a doctor trained in looking at skin biopsies.
  4. If the dermatologist doesn’t see any concerning signs of skin cancer, the screening will be finished.

Why do a biopsy?

一个biopsy是皮肤科医生可能认为含有癌细胞的病变,需要进一步评估。重要的是要记住,进行活检并不意味着您一定会患上皮肤癌。

The sample will be sent to a dermatopathologist to look at the skin cells more closely for the possible presence of cancerous cells.

通常是进行活检的方式:

  1. 皮肤科医生将用麻木剂的局部注射来麻木该区域。他们将使用非常小的针注入麻木剂。
  2. They’ll typically use a sharp blade or a tool to do a punch biopsy to cut or shave the lesion that needs further evaluation.

Biopsy results will usually come back within 2 weeks with a definitive answer as to whether the area is affected by skin cancer. If it’s been more than 2 weeks and you have not heard from the dermatologist, you can (and should) call their office to ask about your results.

请记住,无论癌细胞是阴性还是呈阳性,您都有权利获得结果。

It’s recommended that you get skin cancer screenings at least once a year, especially if you know that you’re at an increased risk of skin cancer.

You may want to do a skin cancer screening during a yearly physical exam so that you can maintain a strong awareness of your overall health.

如果您担心在年度皮肤考试之前进行新的事情,请预约。如果您被诊断出患有基础或鳞状细胞等皮肤癌,则应看到每一个 6 months 在您诊断后的头几年。

如果您被诊断出患有黑色素瘤,则需要每3个月进行几年的身体检查。

一些 风险因素 for skin cancer may include:

  • 变老了
  • light skin tone or skin that burns easily
  • 蓝色或绿色的眼睛
  • 浅头发是金色或红色的
  • 身体周围有很多痣
  • 黑色素瘤或其他皮肤癌的家族史(尤其是一级亲戚,例如父母或兄弟姐妹)
  • 以前有皮肤癌
  • history of tanning bed use
  • 辐射病史,例如癌症治疗
  • 被免疫受损

过去晒伤的历史 增加您的风险 of skin cancer, according to research.

虽然肤色较轻可能会增加风险,但肤色深色的人can also develop skin cancer. That’s why it’s important for everyone to have regular skin exams, limit time in direct sunlight, and regularly wear sunscreen.

There are several preventive steps you can take to help 降低皮肤癌的风险

  • 限制您在阳光直射的时间。尝试从上午10点至下午4点限制曝光率当太阳的射线最强时。
  • Wear protective clothing when you’re outside.这可以包括帽子,长袖和长裤以及太阳镜。为了获得最佳效果,请寻找带有UPF的衣服,UPF充当防晒霜。
  • 佩戴矿物防晒霜((zinc oxide or titanium oxide)具有15或更多的防晒因子(SPF)。一个void chemical sunscreensthat may contain ingredients that can increase your risk of other health issues. And remember to reapply sunscreen if you’re out in the sun for more than 2 hours.
  • Don’t use indoor tanning equipment that exposes you directly to UV light.棕褐色的越多,损坏皮肤的越多 increase your risk 皮肤癌。

这是进行彻底的指南皮肤癌的自我检查

  • Stand in front of a full-length mirrorso that you can see your entire body clearly.
  • 检查你的arms.这包括您的手,手掌,手指和腋窝。
  • 检查你的腿。这包括您的脚,脚底,脚趾,小腿和大腿之间 - 前后。
  • 获取较小的镜子检查脖子的后部和头顶。Pull aside any hair that may be blocking your view of scalp skin. You can still get cancer on areas that appear to be shielded from sun exposure.
  • 用镜子看着你的背部和臀部。Be sure to open your buttocks a little to look for symptoms of skin cancer inside your buttocks, too.

以下是确定新的或变化的痣,雀斑或身体上的斑点的快速指南:医生可能需要看到:

  • 一个symmetry。两侧的斑点不同吗?圆形或对称的斑点可能是皮肤癌的早期迹象。
  • 边界不规则。Is the border around the area jagged or irregular? Look at where the color of the spot contrasts with the color of your skin. If this line is not clearly defined, the spot may be at a higher risk of becoming cancerous.
  • Color.颜色在整个位置是否一致?棕褐色,棕色或黑色的多种阴影的区域可能引起人们的关注。
  • Diameter.它大于1/4英寸吗?比这大的大斑点更有可能变成癌症,尤其是当它们不断增长时。
  • Evolving.每次查看它会改变吗?变化的区域可能是由于皮肤科医生需要检查的不规则癌细胞生长而导致的。

以上是黑色素瘤的可能迹象。

如果您注意到任何东西,也应该看到皮肤科医生:

  • does not heal
  • bleeds on its own
  • is pink, scaly, and does not resolve
  • 是一个新的异常增长

这些可能是非黑色素瘤皮肤癌的迹象,例如基底细胞或鳞状细胞。

您也可以与医生谈论您发现的任何内容,即使痣或雀斑不符合上述任何要求。如果您对健康的紧张或不确定,与医生交谈可以帮助您获得答案。

这里有一些可以帮助您的资源find a dermatologist在你旁边:

  • 如果您有健康保险,请与您的保险提供商联系,并索取网络内皮肤科医生的清单。您也可以向初级保健医生询问转诊。
  • 用一个远程医疗应用或服务迅速看到皮肤科医生视频预约。许多皮肤科医生实际上可以检查您关注的领域并提供诊断或下一步。
  • 在Google Maps,Apple Maps或类似网站等网站上搜索皮肤科医生,以了解您附近的内容,并阅读评论以查看其他人经历了什么

You can also find a dermatologist by visiting the一个DA’s“Find a dermatologist” directory.

选择皮肤科医生并准备好预约时,您可能想准备一些问题包括:

  • 他们是否专门研究皮肤癌治疗,包括手术?
  • Does this dermatologist treat people with your skin tone or color? Are they familiar with conditions that are more common in people with your skin tone or color?
  • 他们接受你的保险或其他付款吗forms? Are their services covered as medical procedures, or will they be considered elective procedures that may cost more?
  • Do they specialize in the type of care you’re looking for? Are they focused on medical treatments or on cosmetic procedures?

男性患有黑色素瘤等皮肤癌的风险更高。早期发现和常规的皮肤癌筛查对于成功诊断和治疗皮肤癌至关重要。早期发现皮肤癌通常可以成功治疗。

Consider seeing a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening and learn what else they may be able to do for you. Taking care of your skin and hair can help you create a healthy lifestyle around treatment and prevention that can reduce your risk of cancer and other skin conditions as you age.