Once you notice a mole evolving to a much bigger size, cancer could have already taken root in your body. Recognize the earliest signs of skin cancer so you can meet with Dr. Arsenault and she can treat you quickly before the cancer spreads. However, it’s not too late to act if skin cancer is already late stage on your skin. Regardless, you need Dr. Arsenault to treat you quickly.
Early Signs of Skin Cancer and How to Respond
Skin cancer’s most obvious indicator is an evolving mole or growth on your skin, particularly one that becomes larger, more irregular in border, asymmetrical or multi-colored. But the very earliest signs that you should be careful to observe include:
- Having a lot of atypical moles – some people have a lot of benign atypical moles on their body, but they’re at slightly greater risk for skin cancer;
- Not protecting yourself from UV rays and using tanning beds;
- Moles that seem different – even if they’re not yet evolving, if they don’t seem to fit in with the other moles on your body, it’s worth alerting Dr. Arsenault;
- Moles that appear new or different on your back (for men) or on your lower legs (for women).
Your Treatment Options When There Are Early Signs of Skin Cancer
If Dr. Arsenault agrees that a mole or growth on your skin looks suspicious, she’ll suggest doing a biopsy. If you get negative test results, your only concern is thenpreventing skin cancer in the future. If Dr. Arsenault has a positive result for you, she’ll ask you to come back in. During your next consultation, she’ll make sure all traces of the cancerous growth were removed during the biopsy; if not, she’ll order a second outpatient surgery to excise the remainder. She’ll also test to see if the cancer has infected neighboring lymph nodes. However, if she caught the cancer early on, it’s very unlikely that it will have spread. After that, she’ll recommend visits twice or more per year to be certain the cancer stays in remission.
Preventing and Treating Skin Cancer in Florida
The Florida sun puts Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch residents at greater risk for skin cancer than their northern counterparts. The more exposure your skin has to UV rays, the greater your risk of developing skin cancer. Dr. Arsenault recommends a mole check at least once a year. At these appointments, she’ll discuss your best skin cancer prevention options, such as wearing sunscreen every day and covering up your face and body with as much clothing as possible.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Arsenault if you suspect the changes to the moles may indicate skin cancer. Better you have a mole or growth tested and find it to be benign than to not be tested at all. Self-exams are important; it’s your job to notice any changes to prevent and treat these growths on your body. Take note of any differences on your skin and meet with Dr. Arsenault on a regular basis for a professional mole check.
