| Skin cancer is on the rise, and that includes the | | | | treatment can begin right away, greatly increasing |
| most serious type of skin cancer; melanoma. In | | | | success and a positive prognosis. In fact, |
| the United States alone, someone dies nearly | | | | melanomas that are detected early have a |
| every hour from melanoma, according to the | | | | five-year survival rate of 99%. |
| American Academy of Dermatology. This | | | | Skin cancer screening can be done annually at the |
| frightening statistic could easily be reduced with a | | | | doctor's office, but you can also do your own |
| simple procedure that can be done in your | | | | screenings at home in between appointments. A |
| doctor's office. | | | | monthly check of your skin will help you to keep |
| A regular skin cancer screening done in your | | | | an eye on moles that may change or develop |
| doctor's office could help detect unusual or | | | | anew. Since the back and the scalp are significant |
| changing moles so that diagnosis and treatment | | | | areas for skin cancer to develop, having a spouse |
| could be done as soon as possible. This screening | | | | or friend help with the screening is also a good |
| will usually consist of a visual evaluation of the | | | | idea. By performing a regular skin cancer |
| skin, including the scalp. If an unusual spot is | | | | screening at home and with your doctor, you can |
| detected, a biopsy can be done so that a | | | | rest assured that any cancer that does develop |
| pathologist can more closely examine a sample | | | | will be treated quickly and effectively when it is |
| under the microscope to see if cancer cells are | | | | found early. |
| present. If the sample comes back malignant, | | | | |