Friendly heads up; please see your dermatologist regularly

[manaboutown]

A few weeks ago I went in for my quarterly check up and my dermatologist did his usual bit with the freezings and occasional few small surgical removals, some of which he sent to be biopsied. About a week later I received a call to return to his office - never had that before - scary - so I got back that very afternoon. His receptionist was already on the phone getting me an appointment with a plastic surgeon to have a malignant melanoma removed. The most disconcerting aspect of it all was my doctor, a personal friend, was seriously "all shook up!"

A week later it was removed by a plastic surgeon using a Mohs procedure and everything turned out hunky dory. For me it was a reminder to never, ever put aside regular dermatological check ups.

[dbussone]

Excellent advice. Thank you for the reminder. And best wishes for your complete recovery.

[manaboutown]

Excellent advice. Thank you for the reminder. And best wishes for your complete recovery.

Thank you! All is going well so far.

[onslowe]

Very very good advice, and all good wishes on your complete recovery.

I've had two instances of malignant melanoma, the last being here in '13. Dr. Casper on my first visit, saw me, saw it, and excised it then and there. Subsequent surgery by a plastic surgeon revealed no spread into my lymph nodes, and that Dr Casper wisely had cut a sufficiently wide and deep swath in the area so the margins were 'clean.'

Do not avoid a dermatologist exam ever. The more recent melanoma was on my back and I felt nothing in the way of warning. The first was a 50 year old 'birth mark' that turned colors - big warning.

Great and thoughtful thread.

[tedquick]

Excellent reminder. Everyone of us needs to see our docs at least every 6 months. I, too, a couple of years ago had a Mohs procedure and so thankful that medicine has come as far as it has. We're so fortunate that, if caught in time, there are very few dermatological situations that can't quickly, safely and easily be resolved. Best of luck in your continued recovery and thanks for the reminder.

[Dancing Queen]

Wow, glad you are doing well.
I need a dermatologist, any recommendations?

[dotti105]

Glad you are doing well!

Any skin changes need to be reported to your doc immediately. Our 40 yr old SIL just had a huge incision on his forearm to remove a melanoma. It just appeared as a wart/mole that just got crusty. They had to do 2 procedures to get clean margins. He is being checked every 3 months now. He had no idea it could be serious or so invasive.

That stuff sneaks up on you. Don't ignore it!

[Villages PL]

I've never had a dermatologist but I'm sure I would recognize something abnormal if I saw it.

If you will search, "Understanding skin cancer" it will describe the symptoms.

[Polar Bear]

I've never had a dermatologist but I'm sure I would recognize something abnormal if I saw it...


Oooh. As a red-haired (a long time ago...heheh), freckle-faced, light skinned, Irish boy who's dealt with skin issues for a long time, I can assure you that this is potentially a very dangerous assumption. Be careful, VPL.

[dbussone]

Wow, glad you are doing well.
I need a dermatologist, any recommendations?

My wife and I recommend Dr Tran.

[dbussone]

Oooh. As a red-haired (a long time ago...heheh), freckle-faced, light skinned, Irish boy who's dealt with skin issues for a long time, I can assure you that this is potentially a very dangerous assumption. Be careful, VPL.

Excellent advice Polar!

[Villages PL]

Oooh. As a red-haired (a long time ago...heheh), freckle-faced, light skinned, Irish boy who's dealt with skin issues for a long time, I can assure you that this is potentially a very dangerous assumption. Be careful, VPL.

I am careful. I always protect myself from the sun even though I don't have light (Irish) skin.

Going to a doctor is fine for those who may have frequent skin issues but I don't think it's a necessity for everyone. It may even give some people a false sense of security. Of course, if you ask a dermatologist, you'll most likely get a different answer.

It may be a good thing everyone doesn't go for a yearly skin check-up. The doctors already have more business than they can handle. One year I had some strange red marks on my ankle and I was worried it might be cancer. When I tried to make an appointment with a dermatologist they were all booked up for about 2 or 3 months.

So I called a customer friendly pharmacy and the pharmacist told me to come in and he would look at it. He took one look and instantly knew what it was. He recommended a tube of cream and that cleared it up in less than a week. Not bad, huh? Eight dollars versus the cost of a visit to a dermatologist. I was not covered by any insurance at that time.

[Barefoot]

Excellent reminder. Everyone of us needs to see our docs at least every 6 months. .... We're so fortunate that, if caught in time, there are very few dermatological situations that can't quickly, safely and easily be resolved. :agree: Regular preventative visits to a dermatologist are very important.

[Villages PL]

Regular visits to a dermatologist may be important for certain high risk individuals.

[Barefoot]

Everyone of us needs to see our docs at least every 6 months.

I think people are wise to have regular checks by a dermatologist, as well as colonoscopies (if recommended by your family doctor).
These cancers are curable if detected early.
Folks, please don't assume you're safe. The earlier that cancer is detected, the better the prognosis.

[Dennis Ga]

I would recommend Dr Casper

[Steve & Deanna]

Excellent advice to visit a dermatologist regularly to have a body check and especially if you love the outdoors.....and (guys) if you have considerably less than a full head of hair.

[Bonanza]

I've never had a dermatologist but I'm sure I would recognize something abnormal if I saw it.

If you will search, "Understanding skin cancer" it will describe the symptoms.

Have you ever heard the adage:

"He who treats himself has a fool for a doctor???"

[Villages PL]

Have you ever heard the adage:

"He who treats himself has a fool for a doctor???"

Yes, but this has nothing to do with me treating myself. One does not need a medical degree to spot the warning signs (symptoms). Perhaps the fool is one who has never bothered to learn the difference between a regular mole and something that may be problematic.

Often, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, or color of an existing mole. (In some cases it may not be a mole but a sore spot that doesn't heal.)

Learn more by searching: skin cancer mole pictures


I still recommend regular check-ups for high risk people.

[Barefoot]

One does not need a medical degree to spot the warning signs (symptoms). Perhaps the fool is one who has never bothered to learn the difference between a regular mole and something that may be problematic.

Even Dermatologists are sometimes uncertain about a mole or growth and need to send it to be biopsied.
See the OP from Manabouttown.
Plus we can't all see suspicious moles on our backside, or watch them for changes.
Many of us lived in the days when baby oil was used rather than a sun blocker.
I think it is irresponsible to suggest that we are fools if we can't self diagnose a medical problem.

[oot]

Sometimes those pics don't tell you everything.

My mom went to the Dermatologist for a full check up. The doctor said all looked well, but mom questioned her about a pimple on her back. She told my mom it was just a pimple, but my mom said it was itchy and she wanted it removed. It was Melanoma.

They ended up doing surgery on her and removed quite a bit of the area (VERY DEEP) but they got it all.

You know your body - so let them know if something feels wrong!

[Villages PL]

Even Dermatologists are sometimes uncertain about a mole or growth and need to send it to be biopsied.
See the OP from Manabouttown.
Plus we can't all see suspicious moles on our backside, or watch them for changes.
Many of us lived in the days when baby oil was used rather than a sun blocker.
I think it is irresponsible to suggest that we are fools if we can't self diagnose a medical problem.

What proof do you have that everyone must get a regular checkup by a Dermatologist? Do you have a qualified link other than from the biased point of view of a Dermatologist?

Up to now the recommendation to get a regular checkup from a Dermatologist has been totally based on feelings and emotions of fear.

[Polar Bear]

What proof do you have that everyone must get a regular checkup by a Dermatologist? Do you have a qualified link other than from the biased point of view of a Dermatologist?

Up to now the recommendation to get a regular checkup from a Dermatologist has been totally based on feelings and emotions of fear.

I don't need proof or a "qualified link". And my recommendation is not based upon "feelings and emotions of fear". Mine is based on one thing...personal experience.

[dbussone]

Here are the screening guidelines recommended by Memorial Sloan Kettering:

Our Skin Cancer Screening Guidelines

Our doctors do not recommend routine skin cancer screening. We do recommend lifelong dermatologic surveillance for patients with a personal history of melanoma. In addition, we recommend that individuals identified during routine care who meet any of the following criteria be considered for skin cancer risk assessment by a dermatologist:

A family history of melanoma in two or more blood relatives
The presence of multiple atypical moles
The presence of numerous actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions that are grey to pink colored scaly patches of skin on sun-exposed areas of the body)

[dbussone]

Here are the screening guidelines recommended by Memorial Sloan Kettering:

Our Skin Cancer Screening Guidelines

Our doctors do not recommend routine skin cancer screening. We do recommend lifelong dermatologic surveillance for patients with a personal history of melanoma. In addition, we recommend that individuals identified during routine care who meet any of the following criteria be considered for skin cancer risk assessment by a dermatologist:

A family history of melanoma in two or more blood relatives
The presence of multiple atypical moles
The presence of numerous actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions that are grey to pink colored scaly patches of skin on sun-exposed areas of the body)


Having noted this, I personally see my dermatologist annually since I've had a MOHs procedure for basal cell cancer.

[Villages PL]

I don't need proof or a "qualified link". And my recommendation is not based upon "feelings and emotions of fear". Mine is based on one thing...personal experience.

My post was not about you. I was asking for proof of why everyone needs regular screening. No proof of that so far.

[Villages PL]

Even Dermatologists are sometimes uncertain about a mole or growth and need to send it to be biopsied.
See the OP from Manabouttown.
Plus we can't all see suspicious moles on our backside, or watch them for changes.
Many of us lived in the days when baby oil was used rather than a sun blocker.
I think it is irresponsible to suggest that we are fools if we can't self diagnose a medical problem.

Is the CDC irresponsible?

CDC - What Screening Tests Are There for Skin Cancer? (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/screening.htm)

"....there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against routine screening....to find skin cancers early."

[Barefoot]

What proof do you have that everyone must get a regular checkup by a Dermatologist? Do you have a qualified link other than from the biased point of view of a Dermatologist? Up to now the recommendation to get a regular checkup from a Dermatologist has been totally based on feelings and emotions of fear.

I don't have any proof of anything. Nothing. Da nada. Just common sense.
I never said everyone MUST get a regular checkup by a Dermatologist! Those are your words, not mine.
Many posters have recommended annual checkups and I agree with them, so shoot me.
I think it's wise for retirees to have an annual checkup because a lot of us lived in the days when sunburn was common and sun blocker wasn't commonly used.
For younger people who have used sun blocker all their life, that's a whole different ball game.
I think it's a good idea, and as Polar Bear says, it's based on personal experience. That's all.

[Villages PL]

I don't have any proof of anything. Nothing. Da nada. Just common sense.
I never said everyone MUST get a regular checkup by a Dermatologist! Those are your words, not mine.
Many posters have recommended annual checkups and I agree with them, so shoot me.
I think it's wise for retirees to have an annual checkup because a lot of us lived in the days when sunburn was common and sun blocker wasn't commonly used.
For younger people who have used sun blocker all their life, that's a whole different ball game.
I think it's a good idea, and as Polar Bear says, it's based on personal experience. That's all.

If you weren't recommending it for everyone, why did you keep posting against whatever I said? I was recommending it for those at high risk.

It's wise for retirees? The CDC doesn't say that; are they unwise?

Why do you agree with what many posters recommend? The majority opinion is often wrong when based on emotion.

[dbussone]

I don't have any proof of anything. Nothing. Da nada. Just common sense.

I never said everyone MUST get a regular checkup by a Dermatologist! Those are your words, not mine.

Many posters have recommended annual checkups and I agree with them, so shoot me.

I think it's wise for retirees to have an annual checkup because a lot of us lived in the days when sunburn was common and sun blocker wasn't commonly used.

For younger people who have used sun blocker all their life, that's a whole different ball game.

I think it's a good idea, and as Polar Bear says, it's based on personal experience. That's all.


Bare - your recommendations are reasonable on several levels: personal, emotional and common sense. I posted some recommendations that Sloan Kettering uses, but I also posted that my personal practice varies from those recommendations. IMHO the recommendations need to take into consideration personal and familial history along with geography. Someone living in the South has a higher probability of developing skin cancer than someone from the NE.

You are on target with your comments. You'll never win a discussion with someone who is only in the game to provoke argument.

Have a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving.

[Villages PL]

CDC - What Screening Tests Are There for Skin Cancer? (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/screening.htm)

"....there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against routine screening....to find skin cancers early."

No matter how hard one might try, there's no changing the above facts