Many New York residents may be interested in the report of a new option doctors have to help with skin cancer diagnosis. Metastatic melanoma, a type of skin cancer, has been difficult to diagnose correctly with current techniques. The new technique promises to make diagnosis easier and prevent either a misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.

New York patients who are seeking a second opinion on a medical issue might be able to do so virtually, and this could reduce the incidence of misdiagnosis. According to the journal BMJ Quality & Safety, around 12 million American outpatients are misdiagnosed annually. The consequences of a misdiagnosis could include financial loss, treatments that are unnecessary, and a reduced quality of life or poorer outcomes for patients.

Multiple sclerosis is a serious disease that is often misdiagnosed. New York residents may be interested in the findings of a recent survey that found that many MS patients had to make repeated doctor or hospital visits before being diagnosed.

When the summer season arrives, many New York residents spend more time enjoying outdoor activities. However, they should be reminded that an increase in sun exposure is also an increase in the risk of melanoma, a skin cancer that can potentially be fatal if it isn’t diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.