Skin cancer: diagnosis and management

Patients should be encouraged to adopt sun protective habits and have new or changing skin lesions evaluated promptly. Physicians should thoroughly examine all of the skin and be prepared to assess individual risks for skin cancer. When the issue is in doubt, skin biopsy or a more detailed examination by a skin specialist is recommended. Educational campaigns directed toward prevention and early detection of skin cancer can greatly reduce the morbidity and mortality of this very common disease.