Squamous Cell Skin Cancer Screening Memphis Dermatologist

George Woodbury jr. M.D. (07/31/2023)

Board-certified Dermatologic Surgeon Cordova TN — Nurse Kristen and Dr. Woodbury welcome you to Rheumatology and Dermatology

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 Squamous Cell Skin Cancer early, through Skin Cancer Screening, my own Memphis Dermatology practice having been with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, Cordova, TN, since 1993 (1-901-753-0168; www.Rheumderm.com).

Skin Cancer can often be easily treated if caught early by Skin Cancer Screening — Dr. Woodbury reviews signs of Skin Cancer with a patient

First, you’ve got to look for it to detect Skin Cancer. Many lives are saved by a Skin Cancer Screening when 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.

Melanoma in particular can even affect young people — Dr. Woodbury examining a patient for skin cancer

Years ago, we Dermatologists taught that certain people were “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!

Dark moles merit inspection by a Board-certified Dermatologist — Dermatologist examing moles on a woman

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.

Healthy skin habits like avoidance of UV rays are helpful for all. — Young people of all skin types are subject to possible Skin Cancer

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.

Such a lesion should raise red flags that it needs to come to the attention of a Dermatologist — Classic Melanoma with different shades of brown and an irregular border

The telltale feature of a Squamous Cell Skin Cancer, or Squamous Cell Carcinoma, is a crusted or scabbed growth on a sun-exposed area of the body, often one that eventually starts to bleed. This condition affects upwards of 400,000 Americans each year, so it’s not uncommon. Melanoma on the other hands tends to be a more like a pigmented lesion, meaning that it’s often black, brown, or gray in color, and Basal Cell Skin Cancer tends to be more translucent in nature.

the inferior lesion is a Basal Cell Skin Cancer — The superior lesion on this patient's hand is a Squamous Cell Skin Cancer

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

Physician-led Team-based care is the best model for healthcare delivery — Healthcare personall working together on a care plan

We know what action to take for suspicious lesions: 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 a dysplastic mole or dysplastic nevus - 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 can lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes — Dr. Woodbury in his Cordova Dermatology Office working with a teen

Mohs 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.

Partnership between the Dermatologist and the patient is key to a good outcome. — Dr. Woodbury working with a patient on a care plan

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.

Couple enjoying the beach - hopefully with Sunscreen! — Summer's an ideal time to examine your loved ones' moles

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.”