President Biden had a small cut of the skin in which the cancerous tissue was removed White House physician Dr. from his chest during his physical exam in February and that “no further treatment is needed,” Kevin O’Connor wrote in a letter released Friday.
After tissue was excised during a procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland and sent for a conventional biopsy, testing confirmed the lesion was basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.
In the United States alone, an estimated 2 million Americans are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, with early detection and treatment, nearly all basal cell carcinomas can be successfully removed without complications.
The foundation’s website states, “Many effective treatments can usually be performed on an outpatient basis using a local anesthetic with minimal pain.” “Afterward, most wounds can heal naturally, leaving minimal scarring.”
first lady jill biden The basal cell carcinoma lesions were also removed in January.
most cases of skin cancer are caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV rays From the Sun
“Over time, UV damage builds up, causing changes in skin texture, premature skin aging, and sometimes skin cancer,” states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its website.
Without prompt treatment, the tumor can grow, become more dangerous, and require more extensive treatment.
To help prevent skin cancer, the American Academy of Dermatology offers some tips, including:
- out looking for shade
- wearing sun-protective clothing
- apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher — even on cloudy days
- reapply sunscreen every two hours when you’re outside
- Be extra careful around water, snow and sand, as they reflect the sun’s rays.
- avoid tanning beds
- Do regular skin self-exams
- See a board-certified dermatologist if you notice new or changing spots on your skin.
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