From 2022 till now, the capital city of Nebraska, Lincoln, has witnessed 11280 cases of cancer. Out of them, 630 cases are that of melanoma of the skin. As such, although moles are extremely common on the skin, some may be cancerous. So, it’s important to be aware of these cancerous moles, also called melanoma, and get your skin checked in time.
In Lincoln, melanoma has been prevalent in young adults aged 20 to 39 years, and it can be fatal. So, you must get them checked at a reputed mole check service in Lincoln, NE, that has board-certified dermatologists adept at treating a wide variety of skin diseases. The dermatologists of such a service are also a part of the American Academy of Dermatology and the Nebraska Medical Association.
How Early Should You See a Dermatologist?
A healthy adult should go for a skin check, including a mole check every year. Many expert dermatologists suggest that you start getting your skin checked while you are in your early 20s. But the answer to how often you should get your skin checked majorly depends on your family and medical history.
You must go without any makeup or nail polish. If the dermatologist finds that you have a greater risk of developing melanoma, they will advise you to have more than a single skin exam per year. Meanwhile, many darker-skinned people harbor the wrong assumption that they are less likely to develop melanoma. Although this cancer is prevalent among people with lighter skin, those with dark skin should still get themselves checked timely.
Warning Signs That Should Prompt You to Get Your Mole Checked
Melanoma gives various early warning signs to an individual. So, you must get an existing or new mole checked if you experience the following:
- If you find that there’s a line in the middle of your mole and both the sides of the mole do not match.
- The edge of the mole is scalloped or uneven.
- Your mole changes color. Usually, you should get alerted if you notice your mole getting darker or consisting of more than two colors.
- Melanoma moles have a diameter greater than ¼ “. These moles have a bigger diameter than roughly the eraser size on your pencil. And if they get raised from the skin, it’s also a warning sign.
- If you notice your mole changing color, shape, size, get it checked. Also, if the mole starts bleeding or itching, you must see an appointment with a dermatologist.
What Happens in a Typical Mole Scanning Process?
In a usual mole scanning process, you are first asked specific questions regarding your skin. It assesses the risk factors of skin cancer, and the dermatology specialists gain the needed background information for further analysis. Your moles or lesions are analyzed privately, and you are sent a report within two weeks. As such, a reliable mole check service in Lincoln, NE, conducts a comprehensive skin exam, and if the mole requires further evaluation, a small biopsy is executed and assessed by a board of certified dermatopathologists. Such a service also performs a complete body check for ensuring that the moles you have are either harmless or should be removed.
Suppose you have moles and find any unusual changes in their appearance over time. In that case, it is crucial to get them examined immediately. Do not ignore even a minor change in the size or appearance of your mole. You’ll never regret your decision to get them professionally checked.
