Squamous cell carcinoma (or squamous cell skin cancer) is the second most common skin cancer. These skin cancers arise from normal cells in the epidermis (or the top layer of skin). When these cells mutate into cancerous cells, usually from excessive UV light exposure, they invade into the deeper layers of skin. Although squamous cell skin cancer is not usually Continue reading
Most people know that summer outdoor fun requires sunscreen and those who forget to learn very quickly through the pain of a sunburn. However, many do not realize that winter sunlight still contains UVA and UVB exposure, and snow reflection can be almost as damaging to skin as direct sunlight. Additionally, reduced melanin in winter can limit skin’s ability to Continue reading
For decades, medical professionals have been recommending the use of aspirin therapy for certain patients who have suffered from or are susceptible to stroke, heart attacks, or diabetes. This daily dose of aspirin has also been linked to a decreased risk of colorectal cancer, and many types of gastrointestinal cancers as well. Because of these important benefits, a group of Continue reading
Firefighters at greater risk for skin cancer “As if their jobs aren’t dangerous enough, there’s new evidence that suggests that firefighters may have an increased risk for skin cancer over those in other professions,” explains Dr. Jennifer Vickers, board certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Bee Cave, Texas. What’s causing the increased risk? According to researchers studying the Annual Cancer Continue reading
Although it doesn’t always get a lot of attention, skin cancer is actually the most common cancer in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014, “76,665 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanomas of the skin and 9,324 people died from this cancer”. “This is why it’s essential to perform regular Continue reading
Protecting yourself from the Sun’s harmful effects should be a multi-faceted approach. As people live longer, they face more sun exposure to their skin. So even if you have no family history of skin cancer, you need to be careful and take advantage of all the tactics dermatologists recommend to protect yourself. Let’s look at one of those tactics–the wear of UPF rated clothing. Continue reading
When doctors talk about skin cancer, they often reiterate the point that it’s important to catch any potential issues early in order to have the best chance of recovery. But exactly how quickly can skin cancer grow? Is it safe to wait a week after noticing something strange on your skin? How long should you wait before deciding that a Continue reading
When a doctor performs a skin biopsy on you, the doctor removes a small part of your skin, analyzes it, and looks at it under the microscope. “This is a sample, a piece of the bigger skin, usually removed for diagnostic purposes,” shares Dr. Azeen Sadeghian, board certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA. In this case, the Continue reading
Getting sunburned is painful enough for adults, but when it occurs in young children, it’s even worse as it can compromise their health, making them more likely to develop skin cancer later in life. In fact, it can be a medical emergency. If you’re the parent of a young child, here are nine top sun safety tips for infants, babies Continue reading
Mohs Surgery: What Is It? While number of treatment options exist for skin cancer, Mohs surgery has proved to be the most effective, providing both the highest cure rate, and the least amount of scarring. Originally developed by Frederic Mohs, M.D., Mohs surgery is a very particular, in-office technique of removing and examining cancerous tissue layer by layer in order Continue reading
