Why is self-examination of skin lesions and dermatoscopic examination so important?
If you notice a suspicious skin lesion:
Don’t ignore it, hoping it will disappear;
Don’t wait to see how it develops or self-medicate;
Don’t deny its seriousness;
Don’t think that getting it checked isn’t a priority;
And most importantly, don’t be afraid to visit your general practitioner or dermatologist.
Self-examination and dermatoscopic monitoring by a dermatologist should be done every 3-12 months.
Skin cancer is treatable if diagnosed early. If you have a suspicious skin lesion, see a doctor.
In Europe, the incidence rate is <10-25 new melanoma cases per 100,000 people.
The earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis.
How to perform a self-examination?
Make skin checks a monthly habit in addition to annual visits to your dermatologist.
What to watch for?
The "ugly duckling" – a lesion that looks different from the surrounding ones.
A new lesion that wasn't there before, especially if you are over 40-45 years old.
An existing lesion that has changed in size, shape, has more than two colors or varying shades of one color, or has irregular shapes and borders.
How to reduce risk?
Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB filters (SPF ≥30). Apply about 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours when outdoors or after swimming or excessive sweating.
Wear cotton clothing, a hat, and sunglasses.
Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible, especially from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, for example, by staying in the shade or indoors.
Avoid intentional tanning, both in natural sunlight and artificial tanning beds.
