Early Detection
SELF-EXAMS
Monthly self-exams are a quick and easy way to protect your skin and aspire for a healthier future.
ABCDEs of Melanoma
If you notice one or more of these signs, or see anything that is NEW, CHANGING or UNUSUAL on your skin see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
The Ugly Duckling Rule
This recognition strategy is simple : most normal spots on your body resemble one another, while skin cancers stand out like ugly ducklings in comparison.
Ugly duckling lesions can be larger, smaller, lighter or darker, compared to surrounding moles. Also, isolated lesions without surrounding moles for comparison are considered ugly ducklings.
- The Skin Cancer Foundation
annual skin screenings are the best way to track any changes or abnormalities on your skin
EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES
While a stage one melanoma is serious and scary, the treatment for it is often an outpatient procedure at your local dermatologist. You will need follow ups and you will need to stay on top of it, but it is survivable!
If caught late, melanoma is one of the most deadly cancers in the world.
This is why early detection is so important.
The primary goal of Helms Hope is to get everyone to do regular skin screenings and to get people with any abnormalities to the dermatologist immediately!
If this were to happen, we could dramatically reduce skin cancer deaths in the United States. Help save lives by checking your skin and encouraging others to as well.
Early Detection also Saves Money
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Each year in the United States, the annual cost of skin cancer treatment is $8.1 billion. Out of that $8.1 billion, $3.3 billion can be attributed to melanoma alone!
However, we know that prevention and early detection can dramatically decrease these costs. The cost to treat a stage 1 melanoma is somewhere between $1,200 and $3,500. Whereas, treating stage 4 melanoma can cost $1 million a year.