MARGARET RAVITS, M.D. & ASSOCIATES DERMATOLOGY

Skin Cancer Screening

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during the course of a lifetime so it is important to take preventative steps and seek treatment at an early stage. Patients should typically schedule full body skin exams with a dermatologist at least once a year. Our dermatologists conduct a thorough examination and interview when assessing a patient's skin. They evaluate each individual patient's risk and take into account factors such as skin type, lifestyle habits, medical history, and family medical history.


Our doctors also suggest preventative steps that patients can take to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer such as wearing SPF 30+ sunscreen daily and sun protective clothing, limiting sun exposure during peak sun hours, and avoiding tanning beds. Patients are encouraged to conduct monthly head to toe skin self exams at home following the ABCDE guidelines and to monitor their moles for any changes.

Book an appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists if you notice any warning signs such as moles which are (A) asymmetrical, (B) have uneven or irregular borders, (C) a variety of colors, (D) diameter larger than ¼ inch (or 6mm) or (E) evolving or changing. If you notice that a mole is bleeding, crusting or itching, consult with our dermatologists who have experience identifying precancerous and cancerous growths. The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The number one cause of these skin cancers is sun exposure. Dr. Terushkin, our dermatologic surgeon, performs Mohs Surgery in our Hackensack office to remove cancerous growths.

Early detection is the key to effective skin cancer treatment. This quick office visit could be potentially lifesaving.

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