SKIN CANCER CHECK-UPS

Around 120,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer in Germany every year. Some 8,000 of them have malignant melanomas. Over 2,000 people - many of them young - die every year from skin cancer, even though skin cancer is always curable if it is diagnosed in time! Most types of skin cancer are caused by exposure to the sun or tanning beds. A number of factors also considerably increase the risk of melanoma:

• Many moles (rule of thumb: the more moles a person has, the greater the risk)

• One or several family members suffering from melanomas

• A melanoma in the person’s previous medical history

• Birthmarks that are larger than 1 cm in diameter

• Severe sunburn as a child or adolescent

 
Skin cancer check-ups, like any other check-up, should be performed regularly. The intervals between check-ups depend on skin type, age, number and type of moles and sun damage history.
We determine individual check-up intervals after the first check-up, when we can use invaluable technical innovations such as the reflected-light microscope and video-supported photo documentation.

We inspect the entire skin and evaluate any abnormal findings. It is generally possible to make a precise diagnosis with a reflective-light microscope. Any abnormal moles are scanned using state-of-the-art computer technology and the likelihood of them being malignant is calculated on the basis of a range of criteria. In most cases, it is not necessary to surgically remove the mole. Any abnormal findings are compiled in a detailed mole catalogue by video camera. This includes taking and digitally storing monitoring photos. Moles which require monitoring are also microscopically photographed and measured. The digital storage of photos of the skin enables regular, objective and detailed comparisons of the skin’s condition at previous check-ups and its current condition, right down to microscopic level.