Summer Season has Begun!

A reminder that we all need sunscreen to protect our skin and reduce our risk for skin cancer when enjoying our beautiful summer outdoors here in the Inland Northwest.

The strength of the sunscreen should ideally be no less than 30 SPF. I personally use 50 SPF for myself and my family.

And what if you are concerned about a specific mole? Well, typically I look at several different characteristics about the skin lesion to determine if it is more likely benign or if it should be biopsied.

In primary care, we use an acronym "ABCDE" to make that determination:

A: Asymmetry. If the lesion is symmetric (identical if cut in half), it is most likely benign.

B: Borders. If the borders are smooth and continuous, then it is most likely benign.

C: Color. If there is a variation of color within the mole, especially a combination of black, purple, brown, red, and pink, then it may need to be biopsied. If it is one homogenous color, it is most likely benign.

D: Diameter. A benign lesion will most likely be 6 mm or less. Anything over that size may warrant a biopsy.

E: Evolving. If the lesion has changed (color, size, etc) in the last 6-12 months, then it may need to be biopsied.

I hope that helps, but if you have concerns about a skin lesion, you should see your doctor! That will be quite simple at Lilac Direct Primary Care. A simple photo by text or email will suffice to determine if you need to be seen. The cost of the procedure itself will be covered under your monthly membership fee!