Melanoma Is A Lot More Prevalent Than You May Realize

It’s one thing to get cosmetic facial procedures to look and feel your very best, but it’s so important to not lose sight of the fact that you need to protect your skin as well.

Did you know about these estimated statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society for 2020?

  • 8000 Canadians will be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer (4400 men & 3600 women)
  • 1300 Canadians will die from melanoma skin cancer (870 men & 450 women)

Pretty alarming, right?

When skin cancer is detected early, followed by treatment, the chances of survival are much higher. This is why you really need to keep on top of your health.

Check your skin on a regular basis for any changes. The more often you check, the easier you will notice that something is different. This means examining every square inch of your body in a well-lit bathroom. Use a handheld mirror so you can check your back or ask someone to help you.

Things to look for:

  • Moles that have changed shape, size, or color
  • Sores that don’t seem to be healing
  • A growth that is irritated or itchy
  • Red patches (may be rough and/or scaly)
  • Raised bumps or lumps that have an indentation
  • Smooth, shiny bumps or lumps that are pink, red, or pearly white
  • Areas that look like scars that appear yellow or pale white

What do you do if you notice something?

Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. It’s always better to have things checked than assume it’s no big deal. It could literally save your life!

Your doctor will look you over and possibly refer you to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. They may also order a biopsy to rule out cancer.

What else can you do to be proactive?

  • Stay out of the sun as much as possible in peak hours, when the sun is most intense.
  • Avoid tanning. Sure, it can boost your confidence to have a nice tan, but it’s way safer and healthier to use a tanning cream or get a spray tan for the desired effect. Please note that tanning beds are the most dangerous culprits, increasing your chances by 75%.
  • Always wear sunscreen (even on cloudy days and in the winter) with an SPF of at least 30. Apply it often. If you are in the Surrey, BC area come see us for high quality skincare products.
  • Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, sunglasses, and hats.

People often think that melanoma is the type of thing that happens to other people. Remember, that no one is immune to this. It’s ALWAYS a million times better to be safe, than sorry.

Looking for a consultation for cosmetic facial procedures or dental implants in Surrey? Please check out our services and call us to book: 604-507-0514.

Is Your Mole Normal or Cause for Concern?

Everyone has “normal” moles – small brown growths on the skin that are almost always round, but may be either flat or elevated. Some of these may be caused by exposure to the sun.

Melanoma, on the other hand, is no laughing matter. It is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. These moles have an irregular border, are asymmetrical, different shades, and they grow in size. They may start out flat and become elevated later.

In some cases, the mole may be amelanotic. This means that it does not have any of the skin pigment (known as melanin), that normally turn a mole darker in color. Amelanotic moles may appear the same shade as your skin, pink, or red. This makes them harder to spot.

How does a doctor examine a mole?

They use a dermoscope, which is a handheld magnifying device that enables them to see the internal skin structures and colors that not seen by the naked eye.  They may remove the whole mole, or just a piece of it for lab testing.

Are there signs that may indicate that an atypical mole is melanoma?

Yes! You may notice one or more of the following symptoms: it may appear to be an open sore, painful, elevated, itchy, bleeding, oozing, crusting, swelling, or bluish-black in color.

Known as the ABCDE’s of melanoma, doctors look for Asymmetry, Border Irregularity, Color, Diameter, and Evolution:

abcde melanoma

See a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. This is definitely not something you want to brush off. Make your health a priority!

Do you need mole removal in Surrey? At New England Oral & Cosmetic Facial Surgery, we can take care of the removal of your regular moles. Call us to book a consultation today: 604-507-0514.