“Its an epidemic for those who are often outside. These people need to be mindful of the importance of skin protection,” says Dr. Paul M. Parker of the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation there are more cases of skin cancer annually then breast, prostate, lung and colon combined.

Early diagnosis of skin cancer is key to obtaining curative treatment, says Dr. Paul M. Parker, New Jersey plastic surgeon. Further, he advises, “Screen yourself for potentially dangerous changes in the moles on your skin, being mindful of the ABCD’s of detection”.

The ABCD’s of detection are vital to self-examination and should be done as a regular routine. The American Melanoma Foundation defines the ABCD’s as asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation and diameter. Watching out for these can alert you as to what changes or developments should prompt an examination by your doctor.

- Asymmetry: One half is different than the other half.

- Border irregularity: The edges are notched, uneven, or blurred.

- Color variation: The color is uneven. Shades of brown, tan,
and black are present.

- Diameter: Diameter is greater than 6 millimeters.

Other Warning Signs:

* The appearance of a new bump or nodule
* Color spreads into surrounding skin
* redness or swelling beyond the mole
* pain
* tenderness
* itching
* bleeding
* oozing
* scaly appearance

At the Parker Center in Paramus, NJ, patients are given a careful history and physical examination if skin lesions are detected. “Early detection of skin cancers such as basal cell, squamous cell and malignant melanomas allows for curative surgical removal”, says Dr. Paul M. Parker. “Skin cancer is not very responsive to chemotherapy or radiation therapy, so surgery is the most effective treatment. The earlier it’s performed, the higher likelihood to obtain long term cure and prevent re-currence of the cancer. The Parker Center offers cutting edge procedures for all types of lesions including benign, precancerous, and malignant.

For those concerned about skin lesions, skin cancer, and skin care, New Jersey, Doctor, Paul Parker offers prevention tips, and other procedure information can be found on the Parker Center website at http://www.parkercenter.net.

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