Dr. Stephen Romagnolo is a longtime Florida dermatologist and Mohs surgeon who leverages his MD through a practice in Hernando Beach. Dr. Stephen Romagnolo emphasizes the importance of regular screenings for identifying potential cases of melanoma. An annual skin check is highly recommended, particularly among older adults. A comprehensive examination involves the use of a dermatoscope. Similar in concept to a handheld magnifier, the dermatoscope incorporates polarized lighting that provides better visuals of the patterns, depth, and features of freckles and moles. If you have what appears to be a sunspot, the dermatoscope can help reveal whether it is a cancerous mole associated with melanoma. As a general rule, it is not necessary to shave before a skin check, but it is important not to wear makeup, as the dermatologist needs to see the natural colors of the mole or freckle to make an informed diagnosis. One next-generation technology that is making advanced screenings more accurate and less invasive is DermTech. Similar to a piece of tape, it is stuck on a lesion and scuffed up. This releases RNA that expresses on the top of mole and can detect the types of genetic mutations associated with melanoma, rather than benign lesions. Whatever the technique employed, skin checks are essential. With early detection, 5-year survival rates for melanomas are in the 99 percent range.

1. Importance of Regular Skin Checks for
Melanoma
Dr Stephen Romagnolo

2. Introduction
Dr. Stephen Romagnolo is a longtime Florida dermatologist and Mohs surgeon
who leverages his MD through a practice in Hernando Beach. Dr. Stephen
Romagnolo emphasizes the importance of regular screenings for identifying
potential cases of melanoma.

3. An annual skin check is highly recommended, particularly among older
adults. A comprehensive examination involves the use of a dermatoscope.
Similar in concept to a handheld magnifier, the dermatoscope incorporates
polarized lighting that provides better visuals of the patterns, depth, and
features of freckles and moles.

4. If you have what appears to be a sunspot, the dermatoscope can help reveal
whether it is a cancerous mole associated with melanoma. As a general rule,
it is not necessary to shave before a skin check, but it is important not to
wear makeup, as the dermatologist needs to see the natural colors of the
mole or freckle to make an informed diagnosis.

5. One next-generation technology that is making advanced screenings more
accurate and less invasive is DermTech. Similar to a piece of tape, it is stuck
on a lesion and scuffed up. This releases RNA that expresses on the top of
mole and can detect the types of genetic mutations associated with
melanoma, rather than benign lesions.

6. Whatever the technique employed, skin checks are essential. With early
detection, 5-year survival rates for melanomas are in the 99 percent range.