By the age of 70, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. And if you've had five or more sunburns throughout your life, your risk of the most dangerous form (melanoma) is doubled. With all this said, Dr. Josephine Okwechime of Suburban Dermatology, serving Kokomo, IN, and the nearby region, stresses the importance of skin cancer screenings. But who needs one?

If You've Had Skin Cancer in the Past

We advise patients to visit for cancer screenings in Kokomo, IN, if they've had skin cancer in the past. 

A survey published on skincancer.net indicated that 62 percent of the people surveyed had a squamous cell cancer recurrence at least once. A recurrence most often happens in the first two years after the initial diagnosis.

Basal cell carcinoma also has a high likelihood of recurrence, with 72 percent of people surveyed saying that they had it more than once. This type of skin cancer most often comes back within the first three to five years of the initial diagnosis.

Even the most serious skin cancer, melanoma, has a high instance of coming back, especially when it is first detected in a later stage. Some people with it even had recurrences up to 10 years after the first diagnosis.

If You Have a Suspicious Mole 

Factors that commonly indicate a mole is cancerous include the following:

• Is asymmetrical
• Has an undefined or irregular border
• Has varying colors
• Is six millimeters or greater in diameter
• Is changing in color, size, or shape

These are the most common ways to detect melanoma.

If You Have a Concerning Patch of Skin or Sore

Sometimes, skin cancer will manifest as a sore that won't heal. Or, it could heal and return. This sore may even bleed or ooze.

On the other hand, you may have a bump that's pearly or waxy. The cancer could appear as a scaly, flat lesion.

We recommend visiting us if you have any of the aforementioned or an area of skin that's concerning in any way.

If You Have a Family History of Skin Cancer 

While anyone can develop skin cancer, your chances of getting it are greater if you have a family history of it. We especially recommend getting examined if you have a parent or sibling with it or who had it.

We Are Here to Help

Anytime you have a mole or patch of skin that's not healing, changing, or peculiar in any way, you should schedule a visit for a skin cancer screening. It's also vital if you have a greater-than-average risk. Fortunately, Dr. Okwechime of Suburban Dermatology, serving Kokomo, IN, offers these assessments to patients, as needed.

Contact our office at (765) 450-7314 for an appointment.