The Older You Get, the More Important Exams Are
December 8, 2011
The importance of detecting melanoma early rests with the fact that outcomes are strongly determined by tumor thickness at the time of diagnosis. Thus, everyone has a stake in being examined thoroughly and regularly by the dermatologist, particularly older patients. According to a recent study, 60.5% of all melanomas detected among study participants were found by the patient, and 39.5% were discovered by dermatologists, but the proportion of dermatologist-detected melanomas was found to increase with age. Half of melanomas in those aged 50 years and older were found by dermatologists, but only 3% of those in lower-risk, younger age groups were uncovered by dermatologists. It becomes apparent, then, that dermatologist-conducted skin cancer screenings become more important the older one get.
P.S. While melanoma is potentially the most deadly form of skin cancer, outcomes improve greatly if the tumors are caught and treated early.
The Villages Office