One of the many fantastic things about the great state of Texas is all of the sunshine that we get here. Because of all that wonderful sun, it should be no surprise that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. In just this year alone, 2 million Americans will get diagnosed with skin cancer. However, even though skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, if you find it early and get it removed, it has one of the highest survival rates of any form of cancer.
Early prevention is exactly why patients visit Dr. Perri for skin cancer screenings. Patients who have a family history of skin cancer, are fair-skinned, or have spent a lot of time in the sun should schedule annual or bi-annual skin cancer screenings at Perri Dermatology, PLLC. We are pleased to screen patients in The Woodlands, TX, Conroe, TX, and Spring, TX.
Dr. Perri graduated from graduated medical school from Baylor College of Medicine in the top 10% of his class and went on to complete a dermatology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Perri is proud to serve his patients in the state of Texas. As a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Perri has achieved the highest level of prestige in his field of medicine. If you’re looking to have a dermatologist work with you, call Dr. Perri today.
How to Get Started with Dr. Perri
If you have noticed any changes to your skin – such as new moles, new lesions, or discolored patches – or if you simply want to get an annual skin exam to check for signs of cancer, you should immediately call Dr. Perri. You will be able to speak with one of our friendly and dedicated staff members about any of your questions and concerns.
The preliminary consultation is when Dr. Perri will learn more about your medical history and if you’re taking any medications right now. From there, Dr. Perri will perform an examination and inspect your skin for any suspicious signs. After that, Dr. Perri will develop a treatment plan for you that addresses your unique condition and your concerns. This treatment plan is unique to you and will help Dr. Perri get the most optimal results. In some cases, Dr. Perri may even suggest performing a biopsy the same day to determine if a suspicious mole is cancerous.
Who Should Get Skin Cancer Screening?
Anyone can develop skin cancer. But there are a few factors that greatly increase your risk of getting skin cancer.
- Heredity – If any of your direct relatives have had skin cancer, you are at a greater risk of getting it yourself. If this is the case for you, setting up regular screenings is a great way to protect yourself.
- Exposure – For a lot of folks, they grew up before we realized exactly how damaging the sun is. If you spent a lot of time outdoors as a kid without sunscreen, you might want to consider getting screened every year.
- Fair skin – If you have light hair, light eyes, and fair skin, your chances of getting skin cancer are higher.
What Happens During a Skin Cancer Screening?
Patients that have lots of moles or who are light skinned may want to get checked for skin cancer once or twice every year. During this skin cancer screening, Dr. Perri will thoroughly examine every inch of your skin looking for signs of skin cancer.
If Dr. Perri discovers something that concerns him, he may decide to remove a mole or a suspicious growth for further examination. Removing a mole for analysis is called a “biopsy.”
During a biopsy, Dr. Perri will numb the area using local anesthesia. He will then excise (remove) the mole with a shave biopsy and send the sample to a pathologist for further examination and to see if it is cancerous.
Skin cancer has one of the highest survival rates of any cancer because it is so easy and fast to find it early. Make sure that you contact Dr. Perri today to set up your consultation and skin cancer screening, taking a proactive approach to the health of your skin in order to minimize your risk for malignancy. We are pleased to treat patients from The Woodlands, TX, Conroe, TX, and Spring, TX. To schedule a skin cancer screening with Perri Dermatology, call (936) 522-4966.
