A Brief Overview of Skin Cancer Self Examinations

Dr. Norman Brooks serves as a dermatologist and owner of The Skin Cancer Medical Center in Encino, California. As a dermatologist, Dr. Norman Brooks, MD, screens patients for common and serious skin conditions and provides instruction on how to perform a self-examination.

Exposure to the sun is the most common cause of skin cancer. Unfortunately, the vast majority of humans experience direct exposure to the sun on a daily basis. With this in mind, individuals should educate themselves on detecting the early signs of skin cancer. Early detection is of vital importance when it comes to treating skin cancer, as individuals face a 98 percent survival rate five years after treatment with early detection, compared to 62 percent when cancer reaches the lymph nodes and just 18 percent following metastasis.

Annual skin checks with a respected dermatologist represent a great starting point for skin cancer screening. While dermatologists can detect early tumor development, individuals are encouraged to continue screening in between appointments. Self-examinations should be conducted in a well-lit room with the aid of a full-length mirror and a hand mirror, the latter of which can help detect abnormalities on the back and other hard to view areas. Using a hair dryer can streamline the process of checking the scalp.

In some cases, individuals may need to reach out to a friend or family member to complete an exam. Anyone involved in a self-exam should be on the lookout for new moles or moles and skin tags that have changed in shape or size. Growths are particularly concerning if they do not bleed or scab over, while moles should be checked for irregular borders and discoloration.

The appearance of a new mole or unusual skin growth should in no way be confused with an official skin cancer diagnosis. That said, any subject of concern should immediately be brought to the attention of a trusted physician.

Recent Studies Address Melanoma Treatment and Identification

Well-known in his field as a skin cancer expert, Norman A. Brooks, MD, treats patients of all ages at the Skin Cancer Medical Center in Encino, California. Dr. Norman Brooks stays informed of developments in his field through publications such as the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Sun & Skin News.

The news website’s highlighted research includes a 2017 study that found that treating skin cancer at the earliest possible moment following diagnosis was critical in avoiding more invasive procedures later. Of particular concern is melanoma. Treating Stage I patients a month after biopsy was associated with a 5 percent increase in mortality risk. At 60 days, the risk increased to 16 percent, at 90 days to 29 percent, and by 119 days the increase in risk was 41 percent. 

Another study highlighted the importance of looking for new, as well as changing moles. A literature review of 38 published studies spanning more than 20,000 melanomas indicated that less than a third of melanomas came about from an existing mole. Some 71 percent arose as new growths on skin that had previously appeared normal. This means that both familiarizing oneself with existing moles and actively searching for new moles are essential to skin cancer prevention.

Boosting Mood in the Sunlight, without Sun Exposure

Based in Encino, California, Norman A. Brooks, MD, guides the Skin Cancer Medical Center and provides surgical and non-surgical pathways to addressing skin cancer and other skin issues. Dr. Norman Brooks maintains a strong patient focus and emphasizes the importance of finding alternatives to “basking in the sun” as a way of improving one’s mood. 

With bright sunny days in the park or on the beach connecting many with childhood memories of freedom and fun, this sense of carefreeness has a hidden danger. Too much sun and ultraviolet radiation exposure can boost the chances of skin cancer and cause premature skin aging.

The positive news is that the psychological benefits of sunlight are not derived from direct sun exposure on the skin. Rather, they reflect the way the optic nerve sends messages to the brain and impacts melatonin and other hormones that guide the sleep-wake cycle. In addition, light processed by the brain leads to the release of mood balancing chemicals such as serotonin. This means that sitting on a park bench in the shade or walking outdoors with proper protection such as hat and long sleeved shirt can be just as powerful in elevating mood as sunbathing.

Health Conditions That Increase the Likelihood of Skin Cancer

A well-established Encino, California, physician, Norman Brooks, MD, leads The Skin Cancer Medical Center. Patient centered, Dr. Norman Brooks strives to discern optimal pathways to skin and overall health. A common question of patients is whether another medical condition can lead to an elevated risk of skin cancer.

Those who receive organ transplants and undergo antirejection drug regimens that suppress the immune system are among those at an increased for skin cancer. Additionally, those with autoimmune diseases are at a greater risk of the disease. With these types of conditions, the body mistakenly works to eliminate healthy tissue, as its ability to distinguish between healthy and diseased tissue is compromised. This can result in an increased risk of common types of skin cancer such as basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

Another condition linked with skin cancer in recent years is endometriosis, which involves tissue lining from the uterus lining failing to shed through the menstrual cycle and instead becoming trapped in another part of the body. A study published in Cancer Causes Control involving approximately 100,000 French women found that endometriosis might be related to an elevated risk of skin cancer.

Risks of Suntanning

Dr. Norman Brooks completed his MD at the University of Colorado and is now the owner and operator of The Skin Cancer Medical Center in Encino, California. Over his decades of practice, Norman Brooks, MD, has gained expertise as both a practitioner and a researcher, having conducted research in the treatment of malignant melanoma. 

The sun produces harmful ultraviolet radiation that increases the skin pigment, known as melanin, and causes the skin color to change. The change in pigment is a sign of damage. 

Since suntanning increases the level of melanin, the most dangerous risk of tanning is skin cancer. Other risks of tanning include eye damage, cataracts, and immune system suppression. 

Unprotected UV exposure causes wrinkles, dark spots, and leathery skin, which are signs of premature aging. The sun’s ultraviolet rays also damage elastin, skin fibers that allow the skin to stretch. Other risks of suntanning include yellow discoloration of the skin and the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin.

The Skin Cancer Medical Center

The Importance of Early Detection of Skin Cancer

Norman Brooks, MD, is a California physician who practices at The Skin Cancer Medical Center and provides treatments that avoid unwanted scars. Among Dr. Norman Brooks’ areas of focus is the application of zinc chloride, which works to decrease tissue damage at surgical sites. He also engages with patients in helping them identify occurrences of skin cancer from the earliest possible moment.

Early detection is critical, with the five-year survival rate for melanoma, which is the most deadly form of skin cancer, 98 percent when it detected at the outset. This rate is only 62 percent in cases where the disease has reached the lymph nodes and is less than 20 percent when it metastasizes within organs distant from the origin site. While basal cell and squamous carcinomas are more common and have even higher cure rates, they can cause disfigurement and, in rare cases, death, when left untreated.

Identifying early signs of skin tumors begins with regular examinations in tandem with a dermatologist, as well as self-exams. Warning signs of the disease to watch for include recent and changing moles, as well as skin growths that scab or bleed and don’t heal normally within a month or so. The bottom line is that if a growth does no appear normal, it is worth checking out with an experienced professional.

New Drug Therapies Revolutionize Skin Cancer Treatments

The director of the Skin Cancer Medical Center in Encino, California, Norman Brooks, MD, is a graduate of the University of Colorado. Active in the professional community, Dr. Norman Brooks belongs to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and is a donor to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Just 25 years ago, physicians had no effective tools for treating advanced melanoma. Initial treatment steps included immunotherapies that weren’t very effective at keeping patients alive longer. However, over the last six years, the dermatology field has welcomed multiple targeted therapies and immunotherapies for stage IV melanoma, including nivolumab (OPDIVO®) and pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®). Most patients receiving these new drug treatments live two to three years longer than previous survival rates of patients with advanced melanoma. About 20 percent of these patients realize a five-year survival rate.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug nivolumab as a treatment for stage III melanoma (previously, the drug was approved only for stage IV melanoma). Many dermatologists are viewing this change as a big step forward in the treatment of advanced melanoma. Researchers are moving toward the goal of making advanced-stage melanoma a treatable condition.

Keep Alert for Actinic Keratosis That May Signal Pre-Cancerous Cells

Norman Brooks, MD, is a University of Colorado graduate who completed specialized postdoctoral training in dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery, and dermatopathology. Currently serving as the director of the Skin Cancer Medical Center in California, Dr. Norman Brooks treats various types of skin cancer with proven techniques. 

When people notice a skin abnormality, it’s not always easy to determine whether it needs medical attention. Don’t ignore potential skin problems that can evolve into a life-threatening disease. For instance, dry scaly patches that persist for more than a few weeks can signal a precancerous skin condition known actinic keratosis (AK). 

Generally developing in sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, and hands, AK patches feel more rough, tender, and itchy than the skin around them. The area also may have a pinkish or yellowish tinge. These patches usually start very small, about a quarter of an inch in diameter, but grow wider. If the dry, itchy area is thick, large, or has a horn shape, a biopsy is generally recommended. If ignored, AK can transform into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a common type of skin cancer. However, AK can be easily treated by freezing the area with liquid nitrogen.

Use of Tanning Beds Increases the Risk of Skin Cancer

A dermatologist who leads The Skin Cancer Medical Center in Encino, California, Dr. Norman Brooks has more than three decades of experience in treating skin conditions. Dr. Norman Brooks warns patients about factors that may increase their risk of skin cancer, such as regular tanning and the use of tanning beds.

The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight can act as a carcinogen and increase the risk of skin cancer. Two types of ultraviolet rays contribute to skin cancer: UVA and UVB.

UVA rays cause the skin to age, while UVB rays cause sunburn. UVB rays also trigger the production of vitamin D in the skin, but only a few minutes of sun exposure are necessary for the body to make vitamin D.

Tanning beds produce ultraviolet radiation that may pose a bigger threat than natural sunlight. According to statistics, tanning beds may increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67 percent and basal cell carcinoma by 29 percent.

Oncologists also attribute many cases of melanoma in women in their early 20s to the use of tanning beds. People who begin using tanning beds before the age of 35 have a 75-percent higher chance of developing melanoma.                           

How to Do a Monthly Self-Exam for Skin Cancer

Possessing more than four decades of professional experience, Dr. Norman Brooks began his career at the University of Colorado, where he earned his MD. After finishing his MD, Dr. Norman Brooks completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Wisconsin. Currently, he provides dermatologic services to patients at the Skin Cancer Medical Center, where he primarily performs Mohs micrographic surgery for treatment.

While Mohs surgery is an effective treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancers, individuals can reduce their risk by completing a short, 10-minute self-exam every month. The exam starts by removing all of your clothes in front of a full-length mirror. You should then use a hand mirror to get a good view of every area of skin on your body and try to make a mental note of moles, freckles, and blemishes. Sometimes, it is helpful to take photos or draw diagrams to keep track.

You should make sure that you see every part of your skin, including the top of your head and the bottoms of your feet. Whenever you notice a change in your moles, whether it has to do with their size, shape, or color, you should contact a dermatologist. Also, meet with a physician if your skin begins to feel or look different. This documentation can help catch problems before they become serious.