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If you are a physician looking
for information on the DermaGraphix digital mole mapping system, please click
here. For information on DermaTrak
Skin Imaging Centers, please click here. For a list of links to skin
cancer sites, click here. About
Mole Mapping
Pigmented lesions can be found
on the skin of almost all adults. Some people have only a few lesions, while
others have too many to count. In most cases, these lesions are classified as
benign nevi or keratoses. Over time, however, these lesions may change into
dysplastic nevi or even melanoma. The incidence of skin cancer is
increasing at an alarming rate. The most reliable statistics estimate that
there were approximately 800,000 Americans newly diagnosed with skin cancer
in 1995. This includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and
malignant melanoma. Particularly lethal are the
malignant melanomas. With the incidence of skin cancer nearly doubling in the
last decade, more than 34,000 people develop melanoma every year, and over
7,000 die from it. Malignant melanoma is the leading cause of death from
diseases of the skin. The most effective method of
attacking malignant melanoma is by diagnosing it at an early stage of its
development, when prognosis for cure by surgical removal is excellent. The
key to early detection is to monitor moles for any change in size, shape or
color. Mole mapping provides a baseline
reference for tracking moles. During a mole mapping session, the entire
surface of a patient's skin is documented photographically. By referring to
these photos during skin self-exams or office visits, patients and physicians
are better able to determine when a change has occurred in any mole on the
body. Such a suspicious mole may then be monitored more closely or, if
necessary, removed. Molemap.com recommends that all
high-risk skin cancer patients consult with their physicians regarding the
benefits of mole mapping. Those at high risk include fair-skinned
individuals, those with a great number of moles and anyone with a personal or
family history of skin cancer. |
