By Emily Reynolds, FNP-BC In September 2023, I lost my uncle to skin cancer. My uncle “Scooby” was 80 years old. He had been an outdoorsman, athletic and a lover of all things Colorado since he moved to the Vail Valley in the 1970s. He grew up in upstate New York where he learned to […]
Skin Exam
How Do You Know If You Have Skin Cancer—Top Signs That You Need to See Your Dermatologist
Skin cancer can be notoriously difficult to notice with an untrained eye. In this article, we will review some specifics for identifying troublesome spots by examining your own skin at home. While a majority of skin cancers develop in sun-exposed areas, many grow in areas with minimal sun exposure. Ultimately, it is only through a […]
Skin Cancer on the Eyelids—Why We See This Form of Skin Cancer So Often
When most of us think about the possibility of developing skin cancer, we most likely envision questionable lesions on parts of our bodies that experience the highest rate of sun exposure: the bridge of our nose, the flesh of our cheeks, the skin of our arms, shoulders, and upper chest. While these areas are certainly […]
The Reflective Truth of Higher Elevation and Skin Cancer in Coloradoans
Even though summer has come to an end and winter is upon us, sunscreen use is just as important. Exposure to the sun during winter months can increase significantly for most Coloradans and put us at an even higher risk for skin cancer, especially for skiers and snowboarders. Colorado is known for its endless outdoor […]
Top 10 Moments of 2022 at Vanguard Skin Specialists
2022 was a great year at Vanguard Skin Specialists! As we ring in the new year, we also celebrate the past year. Our hope is that all we do furthers our mission to make a positive impact on our patients, our community and our world. 10. Educating the public about skin cancer and […]
Understanding The Three Major Types of Skin Cancer
Of all the dermatologic concerns facing Vanguard patients, one of the most common—and certainly the most worrisome—is skin cancer. Skin cancer is so common, in fact, that it accounts for more cancer diagnoses in the United States each year than all other forms of cancer combined. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will […]
Should I Be Worried If I’m Diagnosed with an Atypical Mole?
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 […]