Tips To Prevent Skin Cancer and What To Look For

Although skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, early treatment and prevention can be your best strategy against it. Some of the ways that you can prevent being exposed to the condition will be outlined below, but you can learn a lot more by getting in contact with your Bend, OR, dermatologist Dr. Gerald Peters of Peters Dermatology Center.

ABCDE

ABCDE is an acronym for asymmetry, borders, color, diameter, and evolving, which are elements to take note of when performing self-examinations. You should seek an expert opinion if a mole's shape is not symmetric if its borders are jagged or irregular if there is no uniformity to the pigmentation, or color, of the mole, if it's bigger than about 1/4" or 6mm, or if you have noticed the mole changing shape, size, or color.

Prevention

Factors like family history, skin color, and even where you live can all impact your chances of developing skin cancer. While some factors are out of your control, minimizing your risk is possible by limiting your exposure to UV rays, for example.

Wearing protection against the sun's rays in the form of clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen is important especially if you spend a significant amount of time outside. Tanning beds expose your skin directly to UV rays which can severely damage your skin and could cause skin cancer after prolonged use.

Treatment for Skin Cancer in Bend, OR

Self-examination and protection against the sun and UV rays are important methods of preventing skin cancer, but a step that's just as important is of visiting your dermatologist on a regular basis for more thorough checkups. Early detection typically leads to early treatment, which can help prevent the more damaging complications of skin cancer.

For help preventing skin cancer, you can schedule a consultation in Bend, OR, with Dr. Peters of Peters Dermatology Center by dialing (541) 323-7546.

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Peters Dermatology Center

Monday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Tuesday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Wednesday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Thursday:

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Friday:

8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed