You hear it all the time. Early detection saves lives. And with skin cancer – the one type of cancer that is visible on the surface of the body – this could not be truer!

SMGOR dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs micrographic surgeon, Dr. Matthew Clark says, “Prevention and early detection are key. Exposure to UV light is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers. That being said, we must enjoy life and can’t always be perfect at protecting our skin. That’s why it’s important for most to have a baseline skin exam. Individuals that are determined to have a higher risk often benefit from annual skin exams.”

Dr. Clark lists the top 5 reasons you should NOT delay a skin check:

1) 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin color.

2) Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and it’s estimated that 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.

3) Melanoma, the most deadliest form of skin cancer, is one of the most diagnosed cancers among men and women ages 15-29 in the U.S.

4) Professional skin exams can detect a skin cancer that a patient might be unaware of. For example, skin cancer may pop up in unusual places or places that are tricky for an individual to see on themselves such as his/her back, scalp, or the bottom of their feet.

5) When caught early enough, there is often a greater than 95 percent chance that it can be cured.

Our dermatologists are conducting visits via telemedicine during this time. However, in-office visits better enable our doctors to view your skin and the features of your spots up close.

Visit our website for more information or call the office so our professionals can help determine which type of visit will be best for you.

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