Early detection is the best protection. Magnolia Dermatology offers on-site skin cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients in Cypress or Bridgeland, Texas.
Regular visits with a board-certified dermatologist like Magnolia’s leads Dr. Samantha Robare and Diana Chou, PA-C, can help detect abnormal growths and cancer at the early stages. Below you’ll find exactly how.
🚩 Is Something Off with Your Skin?
A new mole, a sore that won’t heal, or a changing spot can give you a hard time and have you looking information up. But there is something the Internet can’t give you: a skin cancer screening.
At Magnolia Dermatology, we are helping patients in Cypress and Bridgeland, Texas, identify the signs that they should get a professional screening.
Skin Cancer Signs to Look Out For
- New spots or spots that change shape, border, diameter, etc. This is called the ABCDE test. Check your moles’ Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter and Evolution. If you notice a change in any of these, make an appointment with your dermatologist.
- Sores that won’t heal or reappear after healing.
- Changing spots or sores (if they become itchy, tender or painful).
- Skin cancer may develop where the sun doesn’t reach. This includes under your arms, the soles of your feet, buttocks and genital areas; so check everywhere.
When to get A Skin Cancer Screening in Texas
If you have performed the self check and noticed a change on your spots or moles; you should see a dermatologist to help you identify the reason behind that change.
Apart from that, you should book an appointment with a dermatologist to get skin cancer screening if you:
- Have or have had a personal or family history of skin cancer.
- Are taking immunosuppressive drugs.
- Have suffered serious skin injuries.
- Have a history of seborrheic keratoses, which are precancerous lesions.
- Have been diagnosed with rare genetic disorders like xeroderma pigmentosum or basal cell nevus syndrome.
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What to Expect from Your Screening
Magnolia Dermatology’s offices are warm and welcoming; always with the patient’s comfort in mind. During your consultation, your provider will scan your body for signs of any of the three types of skin cancer:
- Actinic keratoses (precancers).
- Basal cell carcinoma.
- Squamous cell carcinoma.
- And melanoma.
If the exam results show a suspicious spot, your provider will discuss it with you and together you will decide how to move forward, either monitoring it, further testing it with a biopsy, or removing it altogether.
A biopsy is the examination of a tiny portion of the growth by a pathologist. The results are usually available within a matter of days; so your provider can explain how to move forward quickly.
Take It from Our Patients
Treatment Options at Magnolia Dermatology
GentleCure uses Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IG-SRT), a type of radiation specifically used to treat non-melanoma skin cancers. The advanced IG-SRT machine targets cancer cells and kills them using low levels of X-ray energy—having a 99% cure rate in basal and squamous skin cancers. Treatment is done safely at our dermatology office over the course of a few weeks, without the discomfort and cosmetic issues that are often associated with surgery.
FAQ
How long does a skin cancer screening take, and does it hurt?
A screening is painless and usually takes only 10 to 15 minutes. A provider visually examines your skin from head to toe—often using a handheld magnifying light called a dermatoscope—without any needles or invasive procedures.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Remove all makeup and nail polish so the provider can examine your facial skin and nail beds clearly. Wear your hair loose, avoid wearing jewelry, and make a note of any new or changing spots you wish to point out.
What happens if the dermatologist finds a suspicious spot?
If a spot appears concerning, the provider will perform a quick, in-office biopsy. The site is numbed with a local anesthetic, a tiny tissue sample is removed for lab testing, and results are typically available within a few days to two weeks.
Continue Living Your Healthiest Life
If you are here, you are already taking the first step toward taking the reins of your skin health. For Cypress and Bridgeland, Texas residents, Magnolia Dermatology offers professional and compassionate skin cancer screenings, diagnosis and treatment. Contact the team today to find peace of mind and continue living your healthiest life.