Although melanoma skin cancers are less common than non-melanoma skin cancers , melanomas are much more dangerous. Diagnosis begins with a medical history and physical exam. The shave biopsy method generally is not used if melanoma is suspected. In excisional or incisional biopsy, a scalpel is used to cut out a wedge of skin. Once a skin sample is removed, it is examined under the microscope to check for the presence of cancerous cells.
Simple excision is similar to excision biopsy.
In simple excision, however, a wider margin of normal skin around the tumor is removed, to ensure that no cancerous cells remain. Avoid overexposure to UV light . Between the ages of 20 and 40, schedule a cancer-related checkup, including complete skin examination, every 3 years. After the age of 40, schedule a complete skin examination every year. Perform monthly skin self-exams, to detect any potential signs of skin cancer.