Did you know that skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in the United States? Most skin cancers are caused by your skin being damaged from sun exposure (ultraviolet rays) and the use of tanning beds.
After a couple of years of nagging, encouraging me to go to the doctor, I finally went. After my first visit, the dermatologist immediately noticed several spots on my back she was concerned about.
A few days later, I received a call and was told I needed to make a follow-up appointment as soon as possible. The biopsied area was in the beginning stages of melanoma, which is a fatal type of skin cancer.
If you catch the development early on, the dermatologist can use liquid nitrogen to freeze the cells at the surface. This is a relatively painless process and will result in the cells falling off after they die.
The dermatologist injected a localized anesthetic in and around the growth area. When the area was completely numb, the spot was cut out with scalpels and other cutting tools.
If cancer can’t be completely removed through traditional surgery, your doctor may elect to use radiation to ensure all the harmful cells are destroyed.