Thanks for an important post. I am among the Baby Boomers, who spent hours in the sun with no skin protection in our teens and 20s. So this is a concern of mine as well.
Here's what I've always wondered: In the same way that we get a first Pap smear, or a baseline mammogram in our mid-30s or at 40, or a first colonoscopy, is there a time at which adults should go to a dermatologist for just a "baseline" skin cancer check? Is there such a thing, and is it recommended?
Seems like with the high incidence of skin cancers, an exam like this might catch a lot of them earlier. But I don't know, even, if insurance covers this. It would be the equivalent of a "wellness" skin exam, I guess.
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Cathy,
Thanks for an important post. I am among the Baby Boomers, who spent hours in the sun with no skin protection in our teens and 20s. So this is a concern of mine as well.
Here's what I've always wondered: In the same way that we get a first Pap smear, or a baseline mammogram in our mid-30s or at 40, or a first colonoscopy, is there a time at which adults should go to a dermatologist for just a "baseline" skin cancer check? Is there such a thing, and is it recommended?
Seems like with the high incidence of skin cancers, an exam like this might catch a lot of them earlier. But I don't know, even, if insurance covers this. It would be the equivalent of a "wellness" skin exam, I guess.
Any thoughts?
October 16, 2009 - 8:54amThis Comment
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