Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world. An estimated 5.4 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. 80% of these are basal cell, which is highly treatable and rarely fatal.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 100,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma in the U.S. every year. More than 7,600 Americans die each year from this more aggressive form of skin cancer.
Treating Skin Cancer
Removing the cancerous cells from the skin is the only way to treat skin cancer. In some cases, this can be done with topical creams and ointments. In others, cryotherapy may be used to freeze the growths. More aggressive and larger growths will likely require surgical removal. If cancer has spread, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be recommended as well.
It can take skin cancer several years to develop. As you age, it is a good idea to undergo a full skin exam every year to check for abnormal growths. If you notice a worrisome spot on your body in between these visits, it is important to have it checked out right away. Most types of skin cancer, including more violent forms like melanoma, are treatable when caught early on. But even those that are typically non-fatal can become deadly if allowed to spread.
Prevention is Key
Preventing skin cancer is preferable to treating it. You can help to reduce your risks by:
- Avoiding direct sun exposure between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm
- Wearing protective and SPF clothing and hats
- Wearing wrap-around style sunglasses
- Applying a quality sunscreen
We are pleased to offer products from Obagi®, a company dedicated to producing safe and efficacious skincare products that are backed by scientific and clinical research. The broad-spectrum sunscreens produced by Obagi® offer protection against UVA and UVB rays in addition to HEV and IR rays. Unlike UVA and UVB rays, HEV and IR rays are not linked to skin cancer. They are, however, known to contribute to premature skin aging and the development of sunspots.
We Are Here to Help
If you have a worrisome growth you would like to have looked at, if you have sunspots or wrinkles you would like to have removed, or if you would like more information about the professional skincare products we offer, please call 918-518-5144 to schedule a consultation at our comfortable Tulsa office right away.
