Dr. Martin Okun
, board certified dermatologist with Fort HealthCare Dermatology, will be offering a free skin cancer screening for anyone on June 6th from 5-7:00 pm at the Hospital Dermatology Clinic at 611 Sherman Ave. East, Third Floor, Fort Atkinson. Registration is not required; guests will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable, but can be disfiguring and costly to treat. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous and causes the most deaths. Prevention is key, having an annual skin cancer screening can help find any changes that might be suspicious.
A change in your skin is the most common sign of skin cancer. This could be a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in a mole. Not all skin cancers look the same.
A simple way to remember the signs of melanoma is to remember the A-B-C-D-Es of melanoma—
- “A” stands for asymmetrical. Does the mole or spot have an irregular shape with two parts that look very different?
- “B” stands for border. Is the border irregular or jagged?
- “C” is for color. Is the color uneven?
- “D” is for diameter. Is the mole or spot larger than the size of a pea?
- “E” is for evolving. Has the mole or spot changed during the past few weeks or months?
A total body examination by a doctor is a good way to find skin cancers early, especially for people who have a history of skin cancer and have any suspicious moles or other spots.