Skin Cancer & Dermatology Experts
The Seattle Skin Cancer Center strongly believes that regular and thorough skin exams performed by a trained skin cancer specialist and self monthly monitoring are the best ways to detect skin cancer early. Depending on your skin type and history you may need yearly, bi-annual or quarterly skim examinations to best take care of your health.
When needed, to help diagnosis the nature of a lesion, a biopsy will be performed. These include shave biopsies, punch biopsies, and excisional biopsies. This procedure, if required, can most often be performed at the time of your regular appointment. The skin is first numbed with local anesthesia and a small piece of tissue is removed. It is then sent to the laboratory for a definitive diagnosis. If cancer cells are present, treatment is required. Cancer Treatment»
Moles that are suspicious lesions or that the patient feels is "cosmetically unsuitable" can be removed via the biopsy methods listed above.
Also know as liquid nitrogen or referred to as "freezing" can be performed in the office. This is a common and effective treatment for actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous lesions) and warts. The tissue becomes crusty and scabbed and usually falls off within a few weeks.
Using sunscreen and practicing good sun safety can reduce your skin cancer risk drastically. We will review proper sun safety at every visit and have many sunscreen samples available for patients to try. Sun Safety»
