On the occasion of the European Day for the Prevention of Skin Cancer, Dr. Serrano, member of Top Doctors, expert in Dermatology and owner of his own clinic in Valencia, explains how to prevent and detect this pathology in time.
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, in which malignant cancerous cells form in the skin tissues. It is important to visit a dermatologist periodically for a skin inspection, especially moles. Early detection is vital.
The following map, which corresponds to 2009, shows the countries with the highest incidence of skin cancer. In Spain, although it is not one of the countries with the most patients affected, between 2.1 and 2.8% of the population were already suffering from it at that time.
Diagnosis of possible skin abnormalities
For the detection of possible abnormalities, the main method is to perform a scan of the entire surface of the patient’s skin, both on the face and on the body. The digital system records the location, shape, color and size of all skin lesions. In this way a digital map of moles and suspicious lesions is created, highlighting those that respond to image patterns with a risk of serious lesions such as melanomas. With this information, the dermatology specialist analyzes each spot, mole or suspicious lesion and assigns them an identification and risk level.
This new diagnostic method offers patients with a higher risk of skin cancer a form of exhaustive, standardized and comparative follow-up. Another advantage of this system is the comparison of lesions from one consultation to the next. At the next visit, a new scan of the entire skin surface is performed and, with the previous digital mole map, the software compares the files highlighting those lesions that are new or have changed in shape, size or appearance.
Types of skin lesions
We can distinguish three types: – Basal cell carcinoma usually appears in areas chronically exposed to the sun such as the head, neck and hands. It manifests as a change in coloration, a pearly or even ulcerated lesion, with no previous history. – Squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to appear on the ears, the face (especially the lips and mouth) and usually presents as a crusted lesion on reddish skin that may sometimes bleed. – Melanomas, finally, most often occur on a mole, although they can appear on any other dark spot on the body. Thus, if we notice that a mole, freckle or any other dark spot begins to change color or size presenting irregular margins, if it is painful, itchy or presents any type of discharge, we should go to a dermatologist as soon as possible.