By Dr. Jessica Clark of Beach Dermatology Skin Wellness Clinic
1. That clear bump on my face could not be skin cancer. It does not even have color!
Many basal cell cancers present as a clear bump that looks very subtle at first. Eventually, it will start bleeding easily and that is what usually prompts people to see their dermatologist.
2. I am only 25 years old. People don’t get skin cancers until they are in their 60s and 70s.
Although it is true that the chance of getting skin cancer increases with age, unfortunately, it can occasionally happen in young people.
3. I don’t need to wear sunscreen in the winter or on cloudy days.
Sunscreen is recommended daily year-round. Many skin cancers are caused by daily sun exposure over our whole life. Up to 90% of UV rays can pass through cloud cover.
4. My hormone therapy is not contributing to my acne or hair loss.
A number of hormones can stimulate adult onset acne and pattern hair loss, especially testosterone. Many patients are taking supplements that can be appropriate for certain conditions. However, I often see patients with levels of testosterone much higher than recommended and this can trigger both acne and hair loss.
5. As a woman, it is completely normal to have dryness of the vaginal mucosa, itching and pain during sex. This is just part of menopause and getting older.
There are so many things that come with getting older and menopause but I am shocked at how many women I diagnose with lichen sclerosus which is an autoimmune disease that causes itching, pain, and burning and can even make it impossible to have sex in severe cases. For some reason, this is hugely underdiagnosed. I even see OBGYNs who miss it or do not diagnose it all of the time. This leads to misdiagnosis and women thinking they are crazy for years before they get an accurate diagnosis. It is treatable and much better if caught early!
6. I can see all of my spots and none of them have changed so I will just get checked if I see something new.
It is impossible to see all of your skin. It is very hard to see certain areas even with a mirror like your back and your scalp. Also, most importantly, the spots patients come in worried about are often harmless. Many times, I identify a suspicious skin cancer that the patient had no idea was there.
7. I will call my dermatologist right away if anything is hurting or itching.
Most skin cancers are completely asymptomatic and most people are not aware that they are there.
