What are Precancers?
Precancers are areas of skin that have been badly damaged by sun exposure or another cause. Precancers are often called actinic keratoses (AKs) or solar keratoses. They are common in adults and seniors due to excessive, unprotected sun exposure over the years.
Characteristics of Precancers
Precancers may itch or feel tender and painful. They may also itch or bleed. They feel rough and scaly to the touch.
Will Precancers Become Skin Cancer?
Some precancers will become a type of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma, but not all precancers will become skin cancer.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Precancers
Your dermatologist will perform a comprehensive skin examination and may take small samples of tissue to examine under a Mohs microscope. If precancerous cells are found, additional tissue may be removed as a biopsy and examined to rule out skin cancer.
Additional treatments for precancers your dermatologist may recommend include:
- Cryosurgery, to freeze the precancer so it falls off
- Photodynamic therapy or PDT, to destroy precancerous cells
How You Can Help Prevent Precancers
Remember that sun exposure accumulates over time. Precancers are more likely to develop in adults and seniors, which means if you are an adult or senior, you need to perform skin checks regularly. You also need to protect your skin. You need to:
- Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 if you have a high risk of sun damage
- Wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing when you are out in the sun
- Try to avoid being out in the sun during the hours of 10 AM to 2 PM, when UV rays are the most intense
Want To Know More About Precancers?
Talk with an expert to learn more about precancers and how to prevent them. Call Dr. Matthew Goodman at Goodman Dermatology and Mohs Surgery. You can reach him in the Peoria and Sun City, AZ, offices by calling (623) 254-7375, so call today.
