The problem with diagnosing moles and weeding out the potentially harmful from the benign is that moles are incredibly common. In fact, nearly everyone in the United States has at least one common mole, and those who do typically have several. Common moles are harmless and very rarely develop into skin cancers. However, the distinction […]
melanoma
Skin Cancer Awareness: Early Detection and Prevention are Key
By Michael Leslie, MD, PhD As May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage each and every one of you to take a moment for self-care. With our hectic lifestyles and numerous obligations, it is easy to overlook the importance of a routine skin exam or push it […]
Vitamin D and Sun Protection – Can You Have the Best of Both Worlds?
By Dr. Renata Prado Board-Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon I am frequently asked about vitamin D and my thoughts on the risk of deficiency with our recommended sun protection. We all agree on the importance of vitamin D. It is known to play many important roles in our body, such as calcium and phosphorus […]
Breast Cancer and Increased Melanoma Risk – What you need to know if you’ve had breast cancer
By Jennifer Garrick, FNP-BC DCNP As a long-time nurse in the hospital and later in private practice, I have taken care of many patients dealing with breast cancer. Seeing their journeys, heroism, and strength have made me a better Nurse Practitioner. So I share my medical advice here to help those who have had breast […]
Is Skin Cancer Genetic?
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. With estimates ranging from 3 to 5M cases per year, skin cancer is more common than breast, colon, lung, or prostate cancer all combined. This type of cancer occurs when skin cells begin to grow abnormally in the outer layer of the skin […]
What Can I Expect from a Skin Exam
At an average of 8 pounds and 22 square feet, your skin is the largest organ in your body. You probably don’t think of your skin as a waterproof covering, but it is. Skin guards our bodies against extreme temperatures, sunlight and even some chemicals. No wonder the skin is an extremely important organ, which […]
A Guide to Skin Cancer
May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and if we could share one message, it is this — skin cancer is more common than you think. Fortunately, skin cancer is treatable if detected early. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. Each year, doctors diagnose over 3 million Americans with […]