Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. If you suspect skin cancer or notice a mole, birthmark, or other types of marks with unusual color, texture, shape, or change in size, it is crucial to have it checked out. Dr. Azar and her team at Angela Azar, MD, provide skin cancer screenings to patients from multiple Great Neck and Jackson Heights, New York offices. To schedule your skin cancer screening, call either office or request an appointment online today.

A skin cancer screening is a visual exam of the skin that the team of skilled healthcare providers at Angela Azar, MD, can perform.

Skin cancer screenings check the skin for birthmarks, moles, or other unusual marks in size, color, texture, or shape. Certain distinctive marks may be a sign of skin cancer.

A skin cancer diagnosis always requires a skin biopsy. Your provider can easily do this during your appointment. The procedure used to remove the spot is called a skin biopsy. A skin biopsy is crucial, as it's the only way to know whether you have skin cancer.

The most common types of skin cancer are:

Also called BCC, basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells. This cancer typically appears as a white waxy lump or a brown scaly patch on sun-exposed areas, such as the neck and face.

Treatments include prescription creams and surgery to remove cancer if needed.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is common and develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin. This type of cancer is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. However, if left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or even spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.

These types of skin cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body and are usually curable with treatment such as simple excision, Mohs micrographic surgery, curettage, electrodessication, or cryosurgery.

It is recommended that skin cancer screenings be done once yearly unless advised to come in sooner by a healthcare provider.

You’ll need to make an appointment with Dr. Azar if you have a scab or score that doesn't heal in about two months or a flat patch of scaly skin that doesn’t go away.

If you are in the Great Neck or Jackson Heights, New York area and looking to schedule a skin cancer screening, call Angela Azar, MD, to schedule an appointment. Or request one online today.