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Dan, 68, went to the dentist for evaluation of a spot on his gums that recently appeared. He started to become concerned when the spot wasn’t going away.
Kyle, 47, went in for a routine eye exam which discovered he had an abnormal spot in his eye.
Belinda, 55, stopped going to the gynecologist when she had a hysterectomy at age 49. She went to her primary care physician because she had a non-healing dark sore for several months in the vaginal area.
Shockingly, all three patients received a diagnosis of malignant melanoma after the suspicious lesions were biopsied.
May is Melanoma Month and now is the time to remember to get checked for skin cancer at the dermatologist.
Susan’s previous columns:
Protect the children:Know these signs of child abuse; you might just save a life
Nailed it:Don’t ignore your nails. They may signify health problems
Losing your hair?Here are some reasons why and what you can do
Get yourself properly screened for Melanoma
Unfortunately, some patients believe melanoma can appear only on sun-exposed areas and do not get all areas of the body properly examined.
It’s important to tell your health care provider if you have a family history of melanoma or personal history of melanoma.
Try to be as detailed as possible with the history including the location of the melanoma, year of diagnosis, and type of treatment.
When going to the dermatologist, make sure to have a list of questions you are concerned with on spots that are new or have changed.
In addition, for females to get a thorough exam don’t wear make-up, nail polish or too much hairspray.
Wearing make-up can mask a possible basal cell carcinoma on the face. Or too much hairspray can make it difficult to thoroughly examine the scalp. Tattoos can also hide a melanoma within the ink.
Oral melanoma
Skin cancers in the mouth can be infrequent but can be a devastating diagnosis when found. Sometimes a small patch on the gums, inner cheek or roof of mouth can occur.
Clinically, the lesions can vary in appearance from a dark brown or black spot to a bump or loss of color in one area.
Lesions in the mouth aren’t noticed because they are asymptomatic during the early stages.
When diagnosed early, melanoma in the mouth can potentially be curable or have a better prognosis.
However, because most lesions are asymptomatic this results in a poor prognosis due to a delayed diagnosis.
“Oral melanoma, though rare in the mouth, can be aggressive and deadly,” said Dr. Hilary Hulland-Prill of Signature Smiles Family Dentistry in Rockledge. “It often presents as an asymptomatic discoloration on the gingiva. I often recommend biopsy when I see a lesion since early detection is key to a better prognosis.
“My advice is to ask your dentist or hygienists to check your mouth regularly for lesions and keep a close eye on discolorations on your gingiva. It is OK to point out a concern to your dentist.”
Melanoma and the eye
Ocular melanoma can be a terrible diagnosis. Most patients do not go to an eye doctor for glasses or vision issues.
It’s important to be seen annually by an eye doctor not only to get your eyes evaluated for cataracts or glaucoma but to have the eyes dilated to make sure they are healthy.
Not only can you see the health of the blood vessels in the eye, you can also examine if there are any abnormal or new lesions present.
A lot of patients have asymptomatic lesions found during examination, but some may experience a change in the pupil or have bulging eyes, floaters or blurry vision.
Melanoma specific to women
Finally, a lot of women are told by their health care providers they don’t need to be seen by a gynecologist if they have had a hysterectomy.
“There is a misconception that menopause and hysterectomy are indications to stop having routine pelvic exams. Cervical cancer screening, ie Pap smears, should be continued for women who still have a cervix until age 65 and longer for some patients,” said Dr. Kristy Kazemfar, a gynecologist for Steward Partners in Women’s Health. “Pelvic exams can identify common gynecologic problems that, when treated, can improve quality of life.”
Melanomas can present in the vulva area as a dark spot, pink patch or non-healing nodule.
Don’t hope the spot will go away. Make sure to get the lesion properly examined and biopsied to confirm the diagnosis.
Don’t forget to call your dermatologist in honor of Melanoma Month. Be sure to get examined annually for skin cancers. It’s easy and could save your life.
Susan Hammerling-Hodgers, a Member of the National Psoriasis Foundation, is a PA-C (Certified Physician Assistant) and MPAS (Master of Physician Assistant Studies) and works at Brevard Skin and Cancer at the Merritt Island, Titusville and Rockledge offices.
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