Q: I have a bone to pick with dermatologists. Why do skin doctors tell women to leave their underwear on during an exam for skin cancer? When I went to have my moles checked, I was told to leave my bra and panties on. I asked about this and was told that the doctor would pull the undergarments up and look underneath. I questioned the thoroughness of this and was told it was standard practice and was good enough. Well, it wasn’t. The doctor who checked me missed the mole under my bra which turned out to be melanoma. If I hadn’t examined my own skin before the appointment and mentioned my concern over that particular mole, the diagnosis would have been missed and I would have been left with a deadly cancer. Needless to say I changed to a skin doctor who’s not uncomfortable examining skin. Yes, it’s embarrassing to have someone look you over so closely, but I’d rather be embarrassed than dead. I’ve talked to other women who share this concern with their dermatologists. At the very least, a doctor should give a woman the option to fully undress or not. For me, when I leave the doctor’s office, I want to feel as if no mole has been left unseen. What are you’re thoughts on this?
[Read more...]
Embarrassment doesn’t outweigh thoroughness
Is red or white wine better?
DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had an ongoing slow battle with squamous cell carcinoma for nine years. I enjoy a glass of wine each day with my evening meal. The attributes of red wine have often been stated but my oncologist says certain cancers “feed on red wine” and said to drink only whites. I cannot find any information to support this and wonder if it was just his opinion, since I have always preferred reds.
DEAR READER: For the sake of my readers who may not know exactly what squamous cell carcinoma is, I will identify the condition before I answer your question. It is a form of cancer that typically develops on unprotected skin. Rarely it can occur in the digestive tract, genito-urinary tract, lungs and other places. When diagnosed and treated early, it is rare that problems will develop. However, left untreated, the cancer can spread to other parts of the [Read more...]
Should skin cancer be addressed?
DEAR DR. GOTT: What is the danger of declining facial surgery for removal of skin for a small area of basal cell carcinoma on the cheek?
DEAR READER: Before I answer your question, I will give some general information regarding basal cell carcinoma. This is a type of skin cancer and, as the name implies, affects the basal cells which are responsible for producing new skin cells as the old ones die off. It is thought to be caused by long-term unprotected exposure to UV radiation from the sun. These cancers ordinarily appear on areas of the skin that are exposed to frequent sunlight, such as the face and neck.
[Read more...]
Could skin growths be cancerous?
DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 48-year-old female and have noticed that I have gotten more mole-like/wart-like marks on my face. What can I do about them? I have about nine on my face right now. Can they be surgically removed or by some other way? They are clear, not dark and bumps of sort. They have made me very uncomfortable about my appearance. Any advice you have would be appreciated. Thank you.
DEAR READER: I urge you to have the lesions examined before you consider having them removed. This is important to determine the cause of the marks. They may simply be skin tags, moles or even freckles, but because many are new, there is a risk that they may be the beginning of skin cancers.
[Read more...]
Skin cancer, cardiac cancer possibly related
DEAR DR. GOTT: A dear friend of mine had a large black mole on his face. He asked his doctor and a surgeon to remove it by freezing it. One month later, he felt sick and had a liter and a half of fluid taken out of the sack around his heart. There was blood in the fluid, and cancer was diagnosed. Could this have been caused by not biopsying and having surgical removal of what turned out to be a melanoma? He died in one month.
[Read more...]
Daily Column
DEAR DR. GOTT:
My question is about papillomas. I am a 76-year-old female and understand they are not dangerous to my health. However, they are annoying, itchy and scaly. Is there any method by which I can remove them myself, other than having surgical removal by a doctor? I’ve had many removed over the years, but they always come back after a short period of time in an adjacent area.
DEAR READER:
Papillomas are tumors of the skin and mucosal membranes that have been changed in composition or structure by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most skin lesions are benign; however mucosal lesions can be pre-malignant. Because your physician indicated the papillomas removed in the past were not dangerous to your health, I surmise he sent one or more of them out for laboratory analysis to verify his diagnosis. [Read more...]
Daily Column
DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am concerned about a family member who was diagnosed with melanoma. Could you please write a column with advice concerning its treatment? I read your column everyday and really respect your opinion and knowledge.
DEAR READER:
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It develops in the cells that produce melanin which is responsible for skin coloration. It most often affects the skin but can also occur in the eyes or rarely, internal organs.
Melanomas usually occur on areas that are repeatedly exposed to sunlight such as on the face, arms, legs or back. Less commonly they can form on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet or even fingernail beds.
The most common early sign of melanoma development is a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new, unusual-looking growth. [Read more...]
Daily Column
DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have about 15 moles all over my body. They feel like sandpaper, itch, and are different sizes. Two on my back were a deep black. They fell off and the spots are flat and itch.
The last time I went to a doctor was about four years ago. I told her I was tired all the time and that my ears turn a beet red. Her answer was, “that’s the price you pay for being a woman”.
Do you think I might have skin cancer?
DEAR READER:
A mole is a small, raised growth on the skin that is ordinarily dark and painless, but can be annoying if it is located on a belt line or other area that is constantly irritated by clothing. As a general rule, lesions can be considered harmless unless they grow, darken, or change in some other way. When this occurs, a visit to a physician is in order.