Saving Lives Of California Residents Who Develop Skin Cancer Each Year: The Key Is Early Detection And Treatment

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Public Health;  Melanoma / Skin Cancer
Article Date: 28 Aug 2007 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Once every ninety minutes a California resident is diagnosed with a new case of melanoma skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. A local dermatologist is working to decrease this alarming statistic, and increase the likelihood that local residents diagnosed with this deadliest type of skin cancer will survive.

"Avoiding excessive exposure to direct sunlight and protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays is the best defense against skin cancer, but it's equally important to have your skin examined at least once a year by a board-certified dermatologist, especially if you have any moles that are irregular in shape or have recently appeared or changed in size, shape or color," said Dr. Kenneth Gross of Skin Surgery Medical Group. "Early detection of suspicious pigmented lesions is the key to early diagnosis and the prevention of advanced melanoma."

When melanoma is caught in its early stages, it's almost always curable.

Risk factors for melanoma include:

-- Sunburns

-- Presence of many moles and/or large moles (>6mm)

-- Fair skin, freckling, light eyes, or natural red or blond hair

-- Family history of melanoma

-- Past personal history of melanoma

Traditionally, dermatologists have relied on their own eyes and judgment in deciding whether to remove a suspicious mole.

Skin Surgery Medical Group is participating in a nationwide patient trial to test an investigational medical technology called MelaFind(R), designed to assist physicians in the early diagnosis of melanoma.

MelaFind is a non-invasive hand-held imaging device that emits light of multiple wavelengths to capture images of suspicious pigmented skin lesions (moles). MelaFind then analyzes the images in order to provide information to the physician and produce a recommendation of whether the lesion should be biopsied.

"We encourage patients to come in for skin exams in general, especially during the summer months when people tend to spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun," said Dr. Gross.

About Skin Surgery Medical Group, Inc.

At Skin Surgery Medical Group physicians and staff are dedicated to providing its patients with the best possible skin care. Dr. Gross at Skin Surgery Medical Group specializes in the following: skin cancer diagnosis and treatment including but not limited to melanoma, basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer; diagnosis and treatment of moles and melanoma including sentinel node biopsy of lymph nodes; Mohs Surgery of skin cancer; evaluation and treatment of dysplastic nevus syndrome including use of episope evaluation of moles; skin flaps; skin grafts (full thickness and split thickness); cryosurgery for precancer and cancer; skin cancer surgery of lips, nails, ears, eyelids, and scalp; interferon for cancer, warts, and other skin problems. For more information visit http://www.skinsurgerymed.com.

Skin Surgery Medical Group
http://www.skinsurgerymed.com