Living in Florida, we’re blessed with abundant sunshine year-round, but this blessing hides a darker side — ultraviolet (UV) radiation — which explains why Florida ranks number two in melanoma diagnoses in the United States.
While getting outside is important, the team here at Z-Roc Dermatology, led by Dr. Khongruk Wongkittiroch and Dr. Matthew Zarraga, wants to protect you against skin cancer. And one of the best ways to do this is to schedule regular skin checks with us.
Far and away, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US, affecting about 1 in 5 Americans by age 70.
There are three primary types of skin cancer, which we rank here in order of prevalence:
Each of these cancers affects different cells in your epidermis, the outermost layer of your skin, and most develop due to UV exposure — 90% of nonmelanoma cancers are sun-related.
We’ve already covered the top two reasons you should come see us for a skin cancer screening — it’s common, and we live in Florida.
While these two reasons are compelling enough, we want to underscore some further points:
Checking your skin for something as important as cancer is tricky under the best of circumstances. Over time, your skin can develop a number of different blemishes, and it can be difficult to figure out what constitutes a potentially worrisome change in your skin. Did that mole grow? Does it have irregular edges? Is that a rough patch of skin?
As dermatologists, we know what to look out for and can differentiate between discolorations and blemishes.
The average human skin covers a whopping 22 square feet, and that’s a lot of ground to cover on your own. Our experts can quickly cover this ground, especially in places where you don’t have great visual access.
When we spot something suspicious, we can quickly take a cell sample and investigate further. This early detection is critical when it comes to cancer as it allows us to act quickly. If we find no precancerous or cancerous cells, you can breathe a sigh of relief.
If there are abnormal cells, the good news is that we can take quick action before cancerous cells multiply and spread.
The bottom line is that any time you can stay one step ahead of a potentially dangerous disease like cancer, it’s worth the effort.
Now that summer is winding down, it’s a good time to come see for your annual skin check. To get started, please contact our Fort Lauderdale, Florida office to schedule an appointment.
