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Screening Moles for Cancer
The incidence rates for skin cancer have been growing at a staggering rate over the past few years. Its causative factors are many, such as increased ultraviolet rays and environmental changes, changes in life style, leisure time activities, travel and vacation habits.
Of the many forms of cancer that can develop in the human body, melanoma is one of the most serious. Its growth has been dramatic among the world’s white population growing at a faster rate than any other forms of cancer found in humans. Statistics show that, in some countries, i.e. the United States, its growth rate has increased 20 fold over the past seventy years.
To this day, the only successful form of treatment for this disease is a timely and well- executed surgery making early detection the single most important factor in its successful treatment. Mole screening and regular self-examination can markedly increase the chance of early detection.
Melanoma may develop in an existing mole, or most commonly, on an area of the skin previously free of skin lesions. Depending on its location, early stage identification can prove to be quite a difficult task, especially, when it is but one of many pigmented moles found throughout the skin. Thus, from the standpoint of its development, aside from light colored skin and hair, the number of moles also becomes an important risk factor in a melanoma’s development.
The introduction of the new digital videodermatoscope, with digitalized photos and artificial intelligence for color analysis of pigmented moles, has given the oncologist-dermatologist a new and important tool in the examination of skin lesions. Photo enhancements of skin deviations are carefully stored to be recalled for comparison at subsequent follow-up examinations to determine malignancy of any changes noted. The digital videodermatoscope, of course, still does not mean absolute protection. It does, however, provide a more precise diagnosis of skin lesions offering a better chance of early detection of a possible problem.
The introduction of the new digital videodermatoscope, with digitalized photos and artificial intelligence for color analysis of pigmented moles, has given the oncologist-dermatologist a new and important tool in the examination of skin lesions. Photo enhancements of skin deviations are carefully stored to be recalled for comparison at subsequent follow-up examinations to determine malignancy of any changes noted. The digital videodermatoscope, of course, still does not mean absolute protection. It does, however, provide a more precise diagnosis of skin lesions offering a better chance of early detection of a possible problem.
Digital videodermatoscopic examinations are now available at the Buda Health Center. Our dermatologists will carefully examine all moles and skin lesions and render their opinions and recommendations in writing regarding any further required examinations and/or possible surgery.
