Because sun damage is cumulative, all patients—regardless of age—benefit from regular skin cancer screening. By taking a family history and then examining the skin for potentially harmful skin growths (including pre-cancerous and cancerous moles), we emphasize prevention and early treatment. We’ll also teach you how to recognize the warning signs of skin cancer and how to protect yourself effectively. There are many different types of skin cancer, some more serious than others. The most common are basal cell, which rarely spreads beyond the skin; squamous cell, which is usually confined to the skin but can metastasize (spread through the body); and melanoma, which is the most invasive and dangerous type. ually confined to the skin but can metastasize (spread through the body); and melanoma, which is the most invasive and dangerous type. The type of cancer determines the best way to remove it. For isolated lesions, especially those on sensitive areas like your face, we may recommend Mohs surgery because it has the highest cure rate and removes the least tissue. However, melanomas usually require more traditional surgery (still in our offices), because more tissue must be removed. To help prevent a recurrence of the cancer, we remove enough tissue around the edges of each cancer to ensure that all the cancerous cells are gone. We’ll schedule follow-ups with our physicians at appropriate intervals. In addition, some patients are referred to an oncologist (cancer specialist) for additional treatment. The Dermatology Group works closely with the oncologist to coordinate treatment details and follow-up. Everyone should conduct regular skin self-exams at home, so that you can spot potentially cancerous changes while they’re still small and easily cured. Go to “Skin Cancer Self-Screening” to see what to look for. If you see anything suspicious, such as changes in a mole, make an appointment immediately with one of our physicians.