Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It is also one of the more preventable form of cancers. Skin protection from the sun is the best way to prevent skin cancer. While sun is not the only cause of skin cancer (Exposure to radiation therapy, scarring from burns, and family history are also factors in the development of skin cancer), sun damage is the most preventable factor. Individuals who are fair skinned with light hair and light eyes are most at risk for skin cancer. Though sun protection is best started at birth, it is never too late to protect yourself from the sun. The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to stay out of the sun during peak hours (10am-4pm), wear wide brim hats and tightly woven clothing when you are in the sun, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above, and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours while in the sun. Even though you are not being visibly burnt in the sun, your skin can still be undergoing damage.

The next most important factor in skin cancers is early detection. Most skin cancers are very treatable when detected early. You should perform regular skin checks and always pay attention to your skin. If you have any lesions that appear rapidly on your skin or moles that are growing or changing rapidly, see your dermatologist. If your Dermatologist suspects you have a skin cancer, a small biopsy can be performed to obtain a diagnosis. 

One of the treatments that Dr. Zivony is trained for in the treatment of skin cancer is Mohs surgery.  Mohs surgery is a very specialized technique for removing skin cancers.  We remove the skin cancer by layers, process the tissue in our lab, then Dr. Zivony looks at the tissue under the microscope to see if more skin cancer is left.  The success rate with Mohs is 98-99% effective of completely removing the skin cancer.  Click here for more information on Mohs surgery. 

Click here for more information on how to check your skin periodically for skin cancer.