Dr. Gerald Peters at Peters Dermatology Center in Bend, OR, believes everyone should have a skin cancer screening yearly. An annual skin exam allows our doctor to identify possible cancer early and initiate the proper treatment immediately.
Melanoma is the highest percentage of cancer type seen at our office. If you have never had a skin exam or it has been over a year since your last exam, please call our office and set up your appointment today.
Dangerous Melanoma and Treatment
Skin cancer can look uniquely different due to body characteristics, such as skin tone, body size, shape, and skin type, which may cause your cancer to look different from another person's.
Early detection means your doctor can catch this cancer and treat it before it enters deeper levels of the skin. In addition, early treatment can mean the total elimination of cancer. Your cancer type and stage determine the treatment option.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted Therapy
- Hormone Therapy
Our doctor believes the same as many expert dermatologists: stop now if you frequent the sun or UV tanning beds. These are the two highest causes of melanoma. Melanoma develops from the skin cells that give your skin its unique color.
Our doctor pays special attention to moles during your skin exam because melanomas often resemble moles. If you have skin moles, know that sometimes these moles can develop into cancer that, in most instances, comes from too much sun exposure.
Even though melanomas are the most dangerous type of cancer, they are curable if our doctor catches them early.
Prevention of Skin Melanomas is the Best Cure
You can help prevent this type of cancer by not working or playing outside during the hottest part of the day. In addition, you must wear sunscreen year-round. The sun is as dangerous to the skin in the winter as it is during the hottest part of the summer months.
Never risk a skin melanoma for that dreamy deep summer tan. Never be misguided by using a tanning lamp or bed, thinking this option is safer than the sun. Artificial tanning is as dangerous as lazing in the hot sun all day. So, never worship the sun, tanning lamps, or tanning beds.
Please put your mind at ease about not having skin cancer and make that yearly appointment by calling Dr. Peters at Peters Dermatology Center in Bend, OR at (541) 323-7546. It makes sense and is wise to call for a cancer screening at least yearly.