It is quite common for patients to visit dermatological offices looking to get rid of the uncomfortable ‘warts‘. There are still those who take the risk of using homemade methods to remove the lesion.
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However, contrary to what some people imagine, removing a harmless ‘wart’ can be a problem as it sometimes hides a silent danger. According to doctor Ana Cristina Vervloet, they may just look like a wart and, in fact, be a skin cancer.
The disease accounts for around 30% of all malignant tumors registered in the Brazilaccording to the National Cancer Institute (INCA).
Retired Helena de Almeida Ramos Costa, resident of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, south of the state, noticed the presence of a wart on her neck and another close to her shoulder and immediately sought out a doctor at the health unit to carry out an evaluation.
“As soon as I realized, I didn’t hesitate to seek medical help. My aunt passed away a few years ago because of skin cancer, so I know the importance of being aware of it. Even though it wasn’t related to the wart, I’m on constant alert. Now , I am aware of another wart on my back and plan to have it removed soon.”said.
When should I worry about a wart?
There’s nowhere to run. Due to the risks, it is extremely important that the unwanted wart is investigated by a doctor.
The dermatologist emphasizes that, before proceeding with the removal of any lesion on the skin, it is essential to consult a specialist doctor for proper evaluation and accurate diagnosis.
“Only a qualified physician can perform a complete evaluation and determine whether the lesion has benign or malignant clinical features and whether it requires further investigation to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.”he states.
When there is clinical suspicion of a malignant lesion, a biopsy is performed (exam that consists of removing a fragment of the body). The material is then sent for analysis to confirm the suspicion. In many of these cases, Ana explains that complete removal of the lesion is performed, which is the appropriate treatment.
700 thousand cases per year between 2023 and 2025
Last November, a study published by INCA showed that 700,000 cases of cancer will arise per year between 2023 and 2025.
The regions South It is Southeast appear with the highest incidence, around 70%. This highlights the importance of prevention, especially skin cancer, which accounts for the majority of cases.
Skin cancer prevention
As with countless other types of cancer, prevention is essential. In the case of skin, mainly by people who are in risk groups, such as those with very fair skin, those who are exposed to the sun for prolonged periods and those who already have a family history.
– Use sunscreen;
– Avoid exposure to the sun during peak hours (10 am to 4 pm, when the level of solar radiation is very high);
– Strengthen immunity;
– Pay attention to the appearance of stains.
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