Skin Cancer Screenings, Detection and Treatment
Skin Cancer Screenings
What is a skin cancer screening?
A skin cancer screening is an inspection of your skin by a medical professional.
Why are skin cancer screenings necessary?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States; in fact, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. People of all colors and races can get skin cancer. There are many different types of skin cancer, including Basal Cell Carcinoma (BBC), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), and Melanoma. BCC and SCC are the most common forms of skin cancer, but melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. With early detection and proper treatment, the cure rate for BCC and SCC is over 95 percent. When melanoma is detected before it spreads, it also has a high cure rate. Regular self-skin exams and a yearly examination by a dermatologist help people find early skin cancers.
Our office recommends annual skin cancer screenings, and more for individuals with a history of skin cancer.
Treatment for precancerous skin lesions and skin cancer
There are various treatments for pre-cancerous lesions, called Actinic Keratosis, including:
- Cryotherapy, or freezing
- Curettage, or scraping
- Application of cream or ointment
- Chemical peeling
- Photodynaminc therapy using laser light
For skin cancer, our office offers a variety of effective treatments including:
- Mohs Micrographic Surgery
- Electronic Brachytherapy
- Surgical Excision
- Photodynamic Therapy
Dr. Paz is one of the few fellowship-trained Mohs Surgeons in Central California. Our office is committed to offering Mohs Surgery expeditiously to our patients. Dr. Paz performs Mohs Surgery to our patients once a week in Fresno and once a week in Visalia.
