Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells
Contour Dermatology diagnosed more than 2,000 skin cancers last year and approximately 100 cases of malignant melanoma. The importance of wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day cannot be overemphasized. Lengthy time spent outdoors requires taking even greater precautions. Diligence also needs to extend to performing regular self-examinations of the skin and scheduling a yearly routine dermatologist visit. These critical steps increase the chances of detecting skin cancer early, before treatment becomes more challenging.
The three major types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
What to Look For:
Spot Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. However, this very typical form of cancer can also occur on other areas not exposed to sunlight.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, over 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in more than 2 million people. It’s a sobering statistic but one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.
You can protect yourself from the risk of skin cancer by reducing exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The best advice is to schedule a regular total body skin check with Contour Dermatology. We look for suspicious changes in your skin and detect skin cancer at its earliest stages. Dr. Jochen and the Contour Dermatology Team take time to listen to your needs and provide for the best care.
Early detection is the greatest defense and makes for a successful skin cancer treatment.
Treatment Options for Skin Cancer
A treatment that uses extreme cold, typically from liquid nitrogen, to destroy abnormal tissue, including cancer cells. It’s often used for early-stage skin cancers and precancerous lesions.
A procedure where the cancerous area is scraped away with a curette, followed by the application of an electric current to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This is commonly used for small basal and squamous cell carcinomas.
A procedure where the cancerous tissue, along with a margin of healthy skin, is surgically removed to ensure complete elimination of cancer cells.
A non-invasive treatment that uses low levels of X-ray energy, guided by imaging, to precisely target and eliminate cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
Enhances the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. This can be administered topically or systemically, depending on the cancer’s characteristics.
A precise technique involving the removal of skin cancer layer by layer, with each layer examined under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. This method preserves as much healthy tissue as possible.
Dr. Jochen is certified in Mohs Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery by the American Board of Dermatology and is a Castle Connolly/Palm Springs Life Top Doctor
Involves applying anti-cancer medications directly to the skin in the form of creams or lotions. This is typically used for cancers confined to the top layer of the skin.
A treatment that combines a photosensitizing drug with a specific type of light to destroy cancer cells. It’s often used for superficial skin cancers.
Dr. Timothy Jochen speaks with Jenifer Daniels of CBS Local 2 about Skin Cancer
