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Skin Cancer Must be Diagnosed Early

Each year, almost one million people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer. Like many other forms of cancer, skin cancer must be caught early. Catching skin cancer early makes the disease more treatable and the prognosis much better for Kansas City skin cancer patients.

Skin cancer is typically indentified as melanoma or non-melanoma. Melanoma is the scary skin cancer; a diagnosis of melanoma usually means a very aggressive treatment plan is in order. Melanoma is skin cancer in its deadliest form. Annually, 60,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma. Melanoma spreads quite rapidly. Melanoma that has metastasized is difficult to cure. The prognosis may be quite grim. Melanoma that has spread may be treated with interferon as well.

Non-melanoma skin cancers can be treated by removing the skin cancer at the site. Topical chemotherapy and radiation treatment, as well as traditional forms of these treatments, are used to treat non-melanoma skin cancers. Radiation and chemotherapy are not as effective in stopping the spread of aggressive melanomas.

Prevention
How can you help reduce your risk of getting skin cancer? One of the best ways is to protect skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Adequate coverage and high SPF sun block (30 or better) for those at risk for skin cancer is imperative. Avoiding the sun when it is the most dangerous is important as well.

Screening
With the emphasis on early diagnosis, screening is extremely important. Skin cancer must be detected by vigilant patients and medical professionals in order for the patient to enjoy a successful treatment outcome. For patients with an increased risk of skin cancer, self-screening is necessary.

Patients who have already had skin cancer, or have family members that have battled skin cancer are at increased risk. Battling the disease is usually harder the second time around. Fair skinned individuals, especially those with naturally blond or red hair, are at higher risk for skin cancer.

Self screening means watching the skin for changes and abnormalities, and seeking medical attention when they appear. It is important for the individual to screen not only the face and chest area, but to look at all areas of the body. Watch for the following symptoms:

1. Watch moles for changes such as bleeding, asymmetrical border changes
2. New growth, such as a mole or a bump
3. Scaly, reddish patches of skin
4. Raised red bumps

Medical professionals must test vigilantly as well. Beginning with a thorough family history and examination, doctors should encourage individuals with increased risk to follow through with self-screening. Biopsies after a growth is removed are necessary to determine if the growth was indeed a skin cancer. Following through with suspicious growths, including follow up and proper diagnosis, consultation of referral to an oncologist or dermatologist, can help determine the outcome for the skin cancer patient.

Failure of medical professionals to interpret tests results properly or for doctors to follow up with adequate tests can cause skin cancer to go undiagnosed in the critical early stages. The result can be painful and tragic. Early on, the treatment is less invasive and less painful. Skin cancers caught later often require more aggressive, invasive treatments and are typically much more expensive.

Skin cancer misdiagnosis can cause families and individuals unnecessary pain, expense, and devastation. If you or a loved one has been affected by a skin cancer misdiagnosis, the Kansas City medical malpractice lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys offer you a no cost initial consultation. For more information, call Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616. You can also access your copy of the free resource guide The Truth About Medical Malpractice Claims for more information.

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