Spotting Skin Cancer and Melanoma Early - Memphis Dermatologist

by George Woodbury jr. M.D. (07/25/2023)

Dermatologists are specialists in the Skin, the Hair, and the Nails — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury

Skin Cancer, including Basal Cell Skin Cancer, Squamous Cell Skin Cancer, and Melanoma, takes the lives of upwards of 20,000 Americans every year. That’s one person about every 24 minutes. The good news is that early detection leads to early treatment, saving lives. So let’s take a look at tips and clues that Dermatologists like myself use to diagnose Skin Cancer early, my Memphis Dermatology practice having been with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, Cordova, TN, since 1993 (1-901-753-0168; www.Rheumderm.com).

Skin Cancer Screening is a helpful tool for early skin cancer detection — Dermatologist examining moles on a patient's back

First, you’ve got to look for it to detect Skin Cancer. Many lives are saved by a concerned family member who inspects a loved one, detecting a changing growth or mole and getting the patient to prompt medical attention. So to spot a suspicious growth early, you do need to get your family members pretty much naked, for a routine home inspection, because skin cancer can occur on all parts of the body.

Skin Cancer Detection — Dr. Woodbury examining moles

People generally considered “high risk” for skin cancer: redheads, blonds, those who freckle easily, or those who love the sun or who have a history of severe sunburns. “Low risk” people were those who routinely wear sunscreen, avoid the sun and tanning salon bulbs, or tan easily. But we now realize that really everyone’s at risk of skin cancer. In fact, African-Americans tend to be diagnosed much later, leading to a higher fatality rate!

Everyone is at risk of Skin Cancer — Kids of multiple skin types outdoors

Be aware that Skin Cancer affects more than just senior citizens. In fact, the median age for development of Melanoma is 52 years old! That means that half of cases occur in people younger than 52. Don’t forget to inspect your kids. Data shows that several thousand people under the age of 20 develop Melanoma in the U.S. each year, including several hundred below the age of 12.

Skin Cancer Screening is a helpful tool — Dr. Woodbury examing moles

So what do you watch for? What features of a growth or mole cause higher concern, and might be a sign of an atypical mole?

Look for what we call the A, B, C, D, E warning signs:

A stands for Asymmetry: one half of the lesion does not match the other half.

B stands for Border: a jagged border, perhaps like the coast of Maine, rather than of Florida.

C stands for Color change: different hues of brown or black within the lesion, or one mole that’s a darker color than the person’s other moles.

D stands for an increasing Diameter of the lesion

E stands for Evolving: if the lesion is changing, it’s best to bring it to the attention of a Dermatologist.

The lesion below is a classic Melanoma: different shades of brown, irregular border. This lesion needs to come to the attention of a Board-certified Dermatologist right away.

Watch for irregular borders in skin lesions — Classic Melanoma with color variations

The telltale feature of a Basal Cell Skin Cancer, also called Basal Cell Carcinoma, is a translucent or almost clear-looking growth, usually on sun-exposed parts of the body. Squamous Cell Skin Cancer, or Squamous Cell Carcinoma, tends to be more scabbed or crusted, tending to bleed. Melanoma tends to be a pigmented lesion, meaning that it’s often black, brown, or gray in color.

The lesions on the back of the person's hand below are classic Basal Cell Skin Cancers. These need to come to the attention of a Dermatologic Surgeon right away.

Translucent enlarging lesions can be Basal Cell Carcinoma — Classic Basal Cell Skin Cancers

The development of soreness or itching within a lesion can be a sign that it’s turned cancerous. So it’s a good idea to get that lesion checked by a Board-certified Dermatologist.

The lesion below is a Squamous Cell Skin Cancer:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma can sometimes crust and scab — Squamous Cell Skin Cancer

We know what action to take for suspicious moles or growths: if caught early, generally a Dermatologic Surgeon like myself will use a simple removal, or “excision” of the lesion under local anesthetic. If the lesion turns out to be a precancerous lesion – such as a high-risk atypical mole – or perhaps a severely atypical solar keratosis or actinic keratosis - or a full-fledged skin cancer - we often try to ensure that the lesion is completely out – by doing what’s called a “reexcision.”

Skin Cancer Screening definitely saves lives — Dr. George Woodbury with a patient

Mohs Surgery – sometimes also called Micrographic Surgery - available in my own practice as a Memphis Dermatologist since 2004 – is a special technique in which the Skin Cancer is cut out – and then processed right in the office – to check whether the borders of the specimen removed are clear of cancer or not. If those borders are not clear, we can then do a further stage or cycle or Mohs surgery to check once again for clear borders.

Inspection under good lighting is helpful in early Skin Cancer detection — Dr. George Woodbury doing a Skin Cancer Screening

My own Memphis Dermatology practice these last 30 years has been with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, in Cordova, TN (1-901-753-0168; https://www.Rheumderm.com). Or you can find a Dermatologist closer to you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then simply plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab.

Early detection of skin cancer comes out of Skin Cancer Screening — Couple checking each other for Skin Cancer

For more helpful tips and photos of melanoma, go to the Skin Cancer Foundation website: https://www.skincancer.org.

Or check out a short video on Youtube sponsored by my Memphis Dermatology practice, about Scarlet Akins, a 26 year old woman studying to be a teacher at Ole Miss, Scarlet, having been diagnosed with melanoma when about seven months’ pregnant: “Understanding the Melanoma Crisis, Scarlet’s Story.”