Have a Changing Mole? See Your Dermatologist Early for Skin Cancer Prevention

Most skin conditions are temporary and don’t require the care of a dermatologist. If a skin condition, like a rash, persists for longer than two weeks, your primary care physician may refer you to a dermatologist. Dermatologists specialize in diseases of the skin. There are times when a rash or skin irritation can signal a deeper health problem and your experienced dermatologists or can often assist with the diagnosis of more systemic diseases.

Treatment of skin cancer by a certified dermatologist in NYC

The most serious skin cancer is melanoma. Moles which change color or develop irregular borders can be the first sign of melanoma. Since melanoma is an extremely aggressive skin cancer which spreads rapidly, it is important to see a dermatologist as soon as changes in a mole are observed.

In most cases, melanoma is curable when it is caught and treated early by a skin cancer surgeon using Mohs Micrographic surgery. When treatment is delayed, melanoma can be fatal.

The best skin cancer treatment: early treatment

While other skin cancers are less aggressive than melanoma, early treatment is still the best way to avoid serious health problems. Any changes in the texture or pigmentation of the skin should be examined by a certified medical dermatologist. These changes can signal more serious medical conditions like:

• lupus
• hepatitis
• serious immune disorders.

A dermatologist can determine the cause of the skin changes.

Who should get their moles checked out by a certified dermatologist?

Anyone with more than one or two moles or a family history of skin cancer should see a dermatologist regularly for checkups. This is especially true if the moles are on areas of the body like the back. Facial moles are easily visible and changes are likely to be seen. Moles that are less visible may change without being noticed. Changes in the pigmentation and shape of a mole are often the only symptoms of early stage melanoma.