| Dr. Victoria Watt Serralta is a board-certified dermatologist & dermatologic surgeon. Here the doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Skin Cancer.
Q. Why should I be concerned about skin cancer?
A. Skin cancer can happen to anyone. There is no one too young, too old, too dark-skinned or too light-skinned to be unable to develop a skin cancer. In fact, many people think that their heritage or ability to tan will prevent them from getting skin cancer, but that is simply not true. It is true that things can be done to prevent skin cancer. Avoiding sun-damage (this includes tanning) and having regular skin checks to remove any pre-cancerous spots are the best way to keep out of trouble.
Q. What is the most common type of skin cancer?
A. The most common type of skin cancer is the basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCCs are skin cancers that can grow in almost any location, but prefer sun-exposed areas including the face, eyelids, nose and lips. If allowed to grow, they can result in significant damage to these areas and can even invade deeper structures underneath the skin. If caught early, they can be removed with minimal damage to the skin.
Q. What are the early warning signs of skin cancer?
A. The most important early warning signs of skin cancer are spots that are changing or won’t heal. We also look for spots that are asymmetric (one half looks different from the other), have jagged, irregular borders, different colors or spots that bleed on their own. Having a spot with one or more of these features does not guarantee that it is a cancer, but it is a sign that is should at least be checked by a doctor who is a skin specialist (Dermatologist).
Q. How is basal cell carcinoma treated?
A. Thankfully, we now have several ways to treat BCCs. Surgery is one way, but if caught early, there might even be the possibility of treating the cancer with a cream. Other options include electrodessication and curettage which is a quick procedure that avoids stitches but does not give any pathology results and rarely, radiation is an option.
Q. How to contact Dr. Serralta if we have further questions?
A. Please feel free to contact us any time!
8015 S Cooper St
Arlington, TX 76001
Phone: (817) 453-4440
Fax: (817) 453-7755
Email: info@serraltadermatology.com
Website: www.serraltadermatology.com
|
