Advice from
Dr. Rasmussen
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Mind These ABCD's
Consult Dr. Rasmussen immediately if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit the traits below:
A—Asymmetry: Normal moles or freckles are symmetrical. If you were to draw a line through a normal spot, you would have two symmetrical halves. In cases of skin cancer, spots will not look the same on both sides.
B—Border: A mole or spot with blurry and/or jagged edges.
C—Color: A mole that is more than one hue is suspicious and needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Normal spots are usually one color. This can include lightening or darkening of the mole.
D—Diameter: If it is larger than a pencil eraser (about 1/4 inch or 6mm), it needs to be examined by a doctor. This includes areas that do not have any other abnormalities (color, border, asymmetry).
If you have a mole or pigmented spot that you are concerned about, please call (512) 482-9344 to schedule a dermatology appointment.
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The eŌs ethŌs
Skin Cancer Basics 
Skin cancer occurs when skin cells start growing abnormally, causing cancerous growths. Most skin cancers develop on the visible outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), particularly in sun-exposed areas (face, head, hands, arms, and legs). They are usually easy to detect by examining the skin, which increases the chances of early treatment and survival.
What types of skin cancer are there?
There are different types of skin cancer, each named for the type of skin cell from which they originate. The majority of skin cancers fall into one of the following categories:
Basal cell carcinoma (also called BCC) comes from the basal cells in the lowest part of the epidermis. 80-85% percent of skin cancers are BCCs.
Squamous cell carcinoma (also called SCC) comes from the skin cells (keratinocytes) that make up the top layers of the skin. About 10% of skin cancers are SCC.
Melanoma comes from skin cells called melanocytes, which create pigment called melanin that gives skin its color. 5% of all skin cancers are melanoma. Although less common, this is a very dangerous type of skin cancer and is the leading cause of death from skin disease.
How can I prevent skin cancer?
The best protection against skin cancer is to minimize sun exposure, especially between 10 am and 4 pm. If you do go out in the sun, practice good sun protection habits: use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher that protects against UVA and UVB rays), making sure to cover the head, lips, hands, neck, and ears. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing. Not only will this dramatically decrease your risk of skin cancer, but it will prevent other sun-damaging conditions like wrinkles and precancerous spots. While everyone should minimize their exposure to the sun, fair-skinned people, outdoor workers, and residents of sunny climates should use particular caution.
Tanning booths increase the risk of developing skin cancer, despite the claims that they are a safe alternative to natural sunlight. The skin doesn’t tan unless it is first damaged by UV radiation. Intentional tanning should be avoided like any health hazard, such as smoking. You can enjoy the look of a healthy tan without the harmful effects of UV radiation by using products like the Infinity Sun Sunless Tanning system.
Another effective weapon against skin cancer is regular self-exams of your skin. Get to know the landscape of your skin, and take an inventory of all moles. See Dr Rasmussen’s advice column on the left for the ABCDs of examining a mole or pigmented spot; you can also visit WEB MD to see a slideshow with images of the ABCDs. You should also have your skin checked yearly by a dermatologist especially if you have any risk factors, such as a family history of skin cancer, prolonged sun exposure, or past cancerous lesions.
Give us a call at eŌs Dermatology at (512) 482-9344 if you would like to schedule your annual skin screening, learn more about broad-spectrum sunscreens that are available, or to schedule a complimentary med spa consultation.
Source: © 2010 Vivacare
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