Skin Cancer Screening NYC – Causes and Symptoms
The vague signs of cancerous development of skin cells make diagnosis of this ailment difficult. Health statistics show that there are more cases of skin cancer than any other type of cancer in the United States.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.
Read through the common causes of skin cancer, and how you can detect them.
Causes
Sunlight exposure
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) have identified that UV exposure plays a key role in developing skin cancer.
Most of us are exposed to the long-length rays of Ultraviolet-A many times a day, which penetrate deeper into outer layers of the skin.
Tanning
This source of short-term, quick tans emits Ultraviolet-B rays, which practically assaults the skin with radiation, not only exposing the skin to UV rays more intense than those of sunlight, but also decreasing the efficiency of immune system.
Immuno-suppressors
The medication prescribed to counter autoimmune diseases such as HIV, or to prevent the rejection of organ transplants can leave the immune system defenseless—increasing the probability of skin cancer.
Being informed of the kinds of damage each causes to the skin is critical to understanding the best way to protect yourself.
Chemical contact
Any individual working, or even living, in environments containing harsh chemicals such as arsenics and hydrocarbons, is likely to develop skin cancer over long periods of exposure.
Regardless of whether you are exposed to the causes—even if you take precautions against something as extensive as sunlight exposure—there is no definitive assurance that you are safe from skin cancer.
Detection
Knowing the signs and going for a skin cancer screening in NYC can prevent skin cancer from advancing.
Skin cancers types and appearances
Actinic Keratosis (AK) – appears as scaly red to brown patches or bumps
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) – develops on part of skin with a history on exposure to the sun (face, ears, hamds; in pink growths that develop into shiny bumps and open sore, as well as scar-like appearance.
Melanoma – “the most lethal form of skin cancer”, has a variety of colors: flesh-colored to pink/reds to purple and black. The most identifying sign is its unevenness of shape. Melanoma progresses rapidly to internal organs.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) – tends to develop in fair-skinned, middle-aged to elderly people.
Take action!
A pre-emptive measure goes a long way towards prevention and cure of skin cancer. At Dermatology and Laser Group, we have some of the top dermatologists in NYC providing minimally invasive screening, and surgical treatment of skin cancer.
Contact us today to get an appointment with our skin specialists.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
