Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, affecting millions of people worldwide.
- Early detection screenings to identify potential skin cancer signs
- Comprehensive diagnosis using advanced dermatological technology
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific condition
Regular skin cancer screenings are essential for early detection and effective treatment. If you notice any changes in your skin, such as new or changing moles, unusual spots, or persistent irritation, schedule an evaluation today.
Skin Cancer Q&A
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is uncontrolled skin cell growth that happens in certain skin’s layers or cell types, such as the basal cells, squamous cells, or melanocytes. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. In many cases, it develops because of damage in the skin cells due to ultraviolet (UV) light, which comes from the sun and tanning booths.
While wearing sunscreen every day and avoiding UV light to the best of your ability may reduce your chances of getting skin cancer, you can’t always prevent it. Like other forms of cancer, it can become malignant and spread to other parts of your body if you don’t catch and remove it early.
Martha Viera Dermatology offers skin cancer screenings and examinations. Your provider can tell you which type of skin cancer you have, its prognosis, and your best treatment options.
What are my treatment options for skin cancer?
Martha Viera Dermatology creates an individualized treatment plan for your skin cancer depending on several factors, including the size of the lesion, the location, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
Many skin cancer treatment plans involve a surgery or similar procedure to remove the cancerous lesion. You can freeze it off with cryosurgery, take it off with excisional surgery, or undergo Mohs surgery to remove cancerous cells while keeping the majority of healthy cells around the lesion intact.
In addition to the removal, you may need additional treatments to eliminate any final cancerous cells in your skin or elsewhere. Common options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, and biological therapy.
For more information on skin cancer and the different types, call Martha Viera Dermatology or book online today.
What does skin cancer look like?
Skin cancer appears as a change on your skin, whether it’s a small sore that won’t heal or a change in the color or size of a mole you already have. Different types of skin cancer vary in appearance, but even skin cancers of the same type can look entirely different from each other.
Your skin cancer might be:
- Bumpy or raised
- Smooth and shiny
- Red or reddish brown
- Yellow or white
- Scaly
- Crusty
- Quick to bleed
Generally, report any new suspicious developments on your skin to either your dermatologist or a primary care provider. You should also keep an eye on your moles and birthmarks for any changes in color, size, shape, or elevation.
