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You Need to Know What She Didn’t

Cancer Screening, NYMost people love to follow celebrity news at least a little bit. In the medical community, we tend to appreciate when celebs use their platform to inform those who follow them. In this instance, we want to send some love to former Miss Universe, Dayanara Torres for her recent openness about the skin cancer diagnosis she recently received. Using Ms. Torres as an example is the best we can do to increase awareness that still seems to be lacking.

When interviewed for a Spanish magazine, Torres revealed that she had “overlooked” a spot that had developed on the back of her knee. She knew the growth was new and she also noticed that the surface of the mole was irregular. That’s where awareness ended in her case. Over time, Torres’ fiancé urged her to get the growth checked out, but it was not until he made the appointment for her that an exam was obtained. Thankfully, it didn’t occur any later. By the time Torres was seen, the melanoma skin cancer that had been growing on her skin had spread to two nearby lymph nodes.

What You Need to Know about Melanoma

You may know that melanoma skin cancer is the most serious form of this disease. You may even be aware that melanoma can cause death. But you may not. Seeing that Dayanara Torres confessed to being shocked to learn that her cancer could and had spread, we don’t want to assume what anyone may know about this disease. Her admission leads us to believe that the skin cancer conversation is far from over.

Melanoma, as well as other types of skin cancer, may not obviously follow the ABCs that have been listed thousands of times in medical articles. The Asymmetry, irregular Borders, Color changes, large Diameter, and Evolution of a mole may be so subtle that one could easily overlook the warning signs, just as Torres did.

There are several ways in which melanoma may show up. It may be a tiny dot on the skin that bleeds or itches. It may be the rapid growth of a new mole or a quick change in the size or texture of an existing mole. Melanoma may show up under a fingernail or toenail. It may develop between two toes or on the sole of the foot. Ultimately, this or any other type of skin cancer may look nothing like you’d expect it to.

Are you Looking?

Based on Torres’ case, we might presume that you may not be looking for skin cancer on your body. Let’s change that. The best way to prevent complications from skin cancer is to obtain a thorough screening. To schedule yours, call our Manhattan office at 212.391.8600.

Posted in: Skin Cancer

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