PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Due to fears of contracting the virus during the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients put off visits to their physician.
According to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, fewer patients were diagnosed with melanoma in 2020 compared with all previous years from 2012 to 2019.
However, the cases of melanoma that were diagnosed were more advanced — many moles showing advanced signs, like thickness and ulceration.
Melanoma is best treated if diagnosed early, when it can be removed before it spreads throughout the body. Delays in diagnosis can affect survival.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
