Potter Plastic Surgery & Med Spa | Hays, KS | Surgical Services | Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Over a million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. Anyone can get skin cancer. Your risk of developing skin cancer is increased if your parent, child or sibling has had any form of skin cancer – particularly melanoma. Redheads and blondes have a two-fold to four-fold greater risk of developing melanoma. However, darker-skinned patients are still at risk.
Most moles develop sometime after birth, but some people are born with moles. Very large moles that have been present since birth do have an increased risk of transforming into melanoma over time. The development of a new mole or any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole may be a sign of skin cancer, and should be checked right away. Melanomas can develop anywhere on the body, even in places that are not exposed to the sun, such as the soles of your feet or even your nails. There is no need to panic. Non-melanoma skin cancer is not necessarily life-threatening, nor does its therapy have to be disfiguring; however, if left untreated, the disease can continue to progress. Even though there is a strong correlation between ultraviolet radiation from the sun and all types of skin cancer, you can still get skin cancer even if you stay out of the sun. Always be sure to check your skin for any new or changing lesions every month.
Skin Cancer Treatments Avaliable
There are many options available to treat skin cancers, including scraping and burning, freezing, radiation, and excisional surgery. A highly specialized type of surgery performed by doctors is called Mohs micrographic surgery. Mohs micrographic surgery combines the surgical removal of the tumor with the immediate microscopic examination of the tumor. It is the treatment of choice for recurrent cancers, large cancers, cancers where the edges cannot be clearly defined, or in areas where it is important to preserve healthy tissue for the maximum functional and cosmetic results. Before Dr. Potter performs your skin cancer treatment, it is necessary to consider all the benefits and drawbacks of each procedure. Your risks of skin cancer can be reduced when you protect yourself from the sun, are aware of suspicious growths and visit our practice for regular check-ups.