Self-exams and screenings help you determine the need for mole removal in Jupiter

In the United States, one of the most prevalent forms of cancer is skin cancer. Estimates are that one in five people will develop some type of skin cancer in their life. Each year, more than nine thousand deaths are attributed to melanoma. More than three thousand deaths each year are linked to non-melanoma cancers. What is especially sad about these statistics is that most deaths from skin cancer are preventable. Data shows that the percentage of cancers related to UV exposure ranges from 80 to 90 percent. Additionally, we know that early detection and treatment of skin cancer makes a huge difference in outcome.

Protecting yourself from skin cancer

Dr. Vitulli, an experienced dermatologist, has dedicated his career to helping men and women enjoy healthy, radiant skin. When you visit your dermatologist, steps to help you avoid skin cancer can be discussed. Some of the steps you can take before reaching the point of mole removal in Jupiter include:

Practice sun safety with protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats. Avoid direct sun exposure during peak times of day (10am-2pm), wear broad-spectrum sunscreen even on cloudy days, and do not use tanning beds.
Examine your skin on a monthly basis. When you regularly examine your own skin, you become familiar with its landscape. You will be able to spot subtle changes to existing moles and marks, and detect anything new. The recognition of changes is vital to the early, successful treatment of skin cancer.
Maintain yearly appointments with your dermatologist for skin cancer screenings. One study, which appeared in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, reported that deaths related to melanoma were reduced by 50 percent when professional screenings were performed.

Self-exams

The point of getting to know the look of your own skin is to enable you to recognize subtle changes. Some of the warning signs of skin cancer include:

Increased size of an existing mole or mark
Changes in color, texture, or shape of an existing mark
Itching, bleeding, crusting, oozing, or other discomfort in an existing mole
An open sore that does not heal within a few weeks
New moles in adulthood
Irregularity in shape or edge, such as asymmetry or jagged borders
A mole or lesion measures more than a quarter inch, or the size of a pencil eraser

If you have not had your skin checked by a dermatologist in the last twelve months, or you have noticed any change in a mole or mark, contact a Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery for your appointment.

A Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Dr. Peter Vitulli

A Center for Dermatology
Connect with Dr. Peter Vitulli on Linkedin.

Dr. Peter Vitulli is a highly sought-after and popular board-certified dermatology and board-certified Mhs surgeon in Jupiter. Having earned his medical degree at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of Nova SouthEastern University, he completed his residency and internship at the University of Tennessee and attended a dermatology residency program at Nova SouthEastern University. Dr. Vitulli possesses vast training and experience in all aspects of pediatric and adult dermatology and offers comprehensive treatment solutions with an interdisciplinary diagnosis approach and impeccable follow-up care. He is particularly passionate about the management of skincare. With over two decades of experience in providing exceptional surgical and aesthetic services and medical care, he holds Fellowships and Memberships with several prestigious professional associations including the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and the American Society of Mohs Surgery, among others.