Joe R. Nielsen, MD

It's a common myth that skin cancer only affects older people. In truth, melanoma is the most common form of cancer for 25 to 29 year old adults, according to the National Cancer Institute. It's recommended that young adults get yearly screenings for skin cancer, since early diagnosis often means more effective treatment.

Did you know that only 20 percent of the way we age is determined by our genetics? This means you can slow or speed up the signs of aging based on your habits and environmental factors.

Are you in no rush to schedule the removal for you skin cancer because it appears to be such a small spot on your skin? Remember, cancer is highly unpredictable and can transform into something more difficult to treat when given enough time.

Have you ever noticed that when you have a small cut the skin blisters as part of the healing process and the skin underneath is softer and smoother? That’s the idea behind chemical peeling – remove the top layer of the skin to expose the smoother, less wrinkled skin underneath.

The risk factors for most skins cancers include excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning booths, leaving your skin exposed to the sun, having pale and easily sunburned skin, being a natural redhead or being naturally blond, having many or unusual moles, having a family history of skin cancer, and suffering from prior and severe sunburns. If you fall into any of these categories, speak to your dermatologist about the skin exam appointment schedule that is best for your skin type and background.

The appearance of the skin was a useful diagnostic tool for many diseases according to Hippocrates (circa 400 BC). He observed that illnesses that produced loose or flaccid skin tended to culminate in periods of intense sweating after which the patient often improved.

Only the most severe cases of psoriasis cover significant portions of the body. A mild case would cover 3 percent of the body or less, while a case that affects more than 10 percent of the body is considered severe.