If you don't look, you will miss it.

Those of us who live in sunny Colorado should know that our skin is an amazing organ as it copes with the intense ultraviolet radiation at our elevation. Maintaining your skin's health, just like any other body organ, is important. By doing so, you can enjoy skin that will continue to provide protection from the elements, remaining healthy and vibrantfor years to come. 

Full body skin examinations – screening skin for benign or cancerous lesions – are an essential practice for optimum health maintenance. For an in-depth explanation of how to check your skin, check out our Mole Tracking page. We urge you to check your own skin several times a year, especially if: 

• You have excessive exposure to the sun
• You have used tanning salons
• You have a history of precancerous skin lesions or skin cancer
• You have a history of frequent sun burns and difficulty tanning

Only about 1/3 of the population performs a self-exam for signs of skin cancer. A significant number of those people were unable to see or recognize a suspicious lesioin on their own. As important as self-exams are, a new study published in the Archives of Dermatology demonstrates that a visit to the dermatologist is more effective than a slef-check. Unfortunately, research shows that less than 10% of us have had a skin exam in the previous 12 months.

More than 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year alone. Fortunately, most skin cancers, including melanoma, can be cured if detected early. Check out our Mohs Microscopic Surgery page for more on Skin Cancer Surgery and how Dr. Asarch was the first to bring Mohs Surgery to Colorado.

Early detection begins with you, but yearly skin exams in our office should be an essential part of your good health program. Book your skin exam with Dr. Asarch Today!