Protect Yourself: Total-Body Skin Cancer Exams℠ Give Patients A Fighting Chance Against Deadly Cancer

More than 3 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2019, but a new standard for regular examinations of a patient’s entire body has the potential to save thousands of lives each year.

Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery (ADCS), one of the nation’s leaders in high-quality patient care, recommends yearly Total-Body Skin Cancer Exams℠ for early detection of cancer.

The deadliest form of skin cancer – melanoma – is very treatable if detected early. But the survival rate drops from 99 percent with early detection to just 15 percent when the melanoma is discovered at a more advanced stage.

“Very simply, Total-Body Skin Cancer Exams save lives,” said Dr. Matt Leavitt, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Dermatology. “By examining the entire body, a dermatologist can identify potential cancer in places a patient may not be able to easily see. If we can detect melanoma early, patients can dramatically increase their chance of survival.”

More than 192,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma in 2019, according to the Melanoma Research Foundation. The American Academy of Dermatology has designated Monday, May 6, as “Melanoma Monday,” in advance of the upcoming summer season.

“Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body – scalp, nails, feet, mouth, even the eyes,” Dr. Leavitt said. “A common misconception is that melanoma only occurs on skin that has had extensive sun exposure. That is not true. An annual Total-Body Skin Cancer Exam gives a patient a fighting chance.”

The factors that put people at high risk for skin cancer include a history of sunburns with blisters at any point in life, spending significant time outdoors for work or recreation, or having light colored hair and fair skin. People over 50 years old are also at higher risk, and men are more likely than women to get the disease.

Nearly 90 percent of melanoma cases are blamed on exposure to the sun. Experts say it takes only one bad sunburn to double a person’s chance of getting melanoma.

To protect your skin and your health, Advanced Dermatology recommends:

• Do not use tanning beds. Indoor tanning beds are harmful to your skin and may cause cancer, according to the Melanoma Research Foundation. Young people using tanning beds are 8 times more likely to develop melanoma.
• Moles or growths that change, itch or bleed could be early warning signs of melanoma. Get them checked as soon as possible by a certified dermatologist.
• Daily sunscreen use. Sunscreen could significantly reduce the incidence of melanoma.
• Seek shade when possible, cover up with clothing and wear sunglasses and wide brim hats when in the sun.

To learn more about Advanced Dermatology or to schedule your annual Total-Body Skin Cancer Exam, visit www.advancedderm.com or call 1-866-202-7050.

About Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery is the premier dermatology practice in the country. We are committed to providing comprehensive and unparalleled dermatologic and aesthetic care in a welcoming and engaging environment, seeking to make each patient experience unique and adhering to superior patient safety and privacy standards. We strive to combine the best of the art of medicine with the latest advances in research and technology in formulating individualized treatment plans to achieve a unique, desired, and aesthetically pleasing result. Visit www.advancedderm.com for more information.

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