In the winter, most of us in Cleveland, TN, are covered in layers of fleece and denim. It is easy to adopt an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude toward our skin.
However, February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and it is actually the very best time of year to address those suspicious moles, lumps, or bumps you might have noticed last summer but forgot about.
General Surgeon Dr. Eston Wenger in Cleveland, TN performs many skin excisions—removing skin cancers (like basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma), sebaceous cysts, and lipomas. While no one looks forward to a procedure, scheduling it in February offers distinct medical and cosmetic advantages.
Here is why you should check your skin now, rather than waiting for the summer sun.
Better Scar Healing
One of the biggest enemies of a healing scar is ultraviolet (UV) light. When a fresh incision is exposed to the sun, the UV rays can cause the scar tissue to darken and become more noticeable—sometimes permanently.
- In July: You have to constantly cover the area with bandages or high-SPF sunscreen.
- In February: Your incision is naturally protected by long sleeves and pants. This gives the scar the best chance to fade invisibly.
Lower Infection Risk
In the humid Tennessee summers, we sweat. Sweat can irritate fresh incisions, trap bacteria under bandages, and increase the risk of infection.
In the cool winter months, keeping a surgical site clean and dry is much easier. You aren’t battling humidity or perspiration, which leads to a smoother, faster recovery.
Be Ready for Summer Activities
If you have a lump removed in June, you likely won’t be able to go swimming in the lake or the pool for several weeks while the wound heals. By having the procedure now, you will be fully healed and ready for the water by Memorial Day.
What to Look For: The ABCDE Rule
We treat many skin conditions, but for cancer prevention, it is vital to monitor your moles. Remember the ABCDE rule:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
- Border: The edges are ragged, blurred, or irregular.
- Color: The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, or sometimes with patches of pink, red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: The spot is larger than a pencil eraser (although melanomas can sometimes be smaller).
- Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
The Role of a General Surgeon
Many patients assume they must see a dermatologist for every skin issue. While dermatologists are excellent partners in care, a general surgeon is often the most efficient route for excision.
If you have a lipoma (a fatty lump under the skin), a painful cyst, or a biopsy-confirmed skin cancer, it can often be quickly removed. We use minimally invasive surgery techniques to ensure the incision is as small as possible while ensuring the entire growth is removed.
Don’t Wait Until It Grows
Whether it is a cyst that keeps getting inflamed or a mole that looks “off,” the “wait and see” approach is rarely the best choice. Small removals are easier to recover from than large ones.
This National Cancer Prevention Month, take a close look at your skin. If you find something suspicious, don’t wait. Contact Dr. Eston Wenger at Premier Surgical in Cleveland, TN online or by calling us at (423) 472–5423 to schedule an appointment with. We will remove the worry so you can enjoy the rest of your year.