SKIN CANCER SCREENING

We provide medical consultation for skin cancer screening This involves inspection of various body areas or areas of specific concern.  If biopsy or removal is required, this can often be performed on the day of the consultation.  Most procedures can be performed in the office setting.

Skin Cancer Screening Consultation........................................................$90.00

Please Note:

 At this time, we accept Medicare insurance only. Non-Medicare patients will be provided appropriate codes to submit to their insurance companies. Non-Medicare  patients may  opt to be scheduled in our Hanford office. Payments can also be made using cash, VISA, or Mastercard.

Biopsy or excision procedure cost will vary depending on size and location of treated lesion. If biopsy or excision is required, consultation fee may be reduced or waived.

Separate pathology fees may be be required.

 Skin Cancer Facts

 Precancerous Lesions

Skin cancer screening can often identify  precancerous lesions called actinic keratosis, or solar keratosis. This   condition  has the potential for developing into squamous cell carcinoma. It appears as rough red or brown, scaly patches on the skin. They are often more easily felt than seen. Like skin cancer, actinic keratosis is usually found on sun-exposed areas of the body, but it can be found on other parts of the body as well, and is more common in older individuals.

Skin Cancer

There are  two  common kinds of skin cancer. When these skin cancers are found early, there is nearly a 100% chance for cure.

Basal cell carcinoma:  More than 90% of all skin cancers are the basal cell variety. This is a slow-growing cancer that seldom spreads to other parts of the body. However, if left untreated, it can spread to nearby areas and invade bone and other tissues under the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma is much less common than basal cell carcinoma. It can be more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma and is also more likely to grow deep below the skin and spread to distant parts of the body.

A third type of cancer that occurs in the skin is melanoma, which begins in the cells that produce pigment in the skin. It is less common than basal or squamous cell skin cancers, but it is more dangerous than either and can be deadly. If caught early, there is nearly a 97% chance for cure.

Skin Cancer Prevention

For the most part, skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S., is caused by too much exposure to the sun. People with fair skin and freckles,  or who sunburn easily, have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. But people of all skin colors can develop skin cancer and should take precautions to protect their skin from the sun's rays.

Suncreen

Choose an SPF of at least 30, which will block 97% of the suns rays. Apply lobrerally, reapply at least every two hours, and be sure to use a lip balm with SPF30. Remember that no sunscreen, no matter the SPF, can completely  protect you from the sun.

Cover up

Wear sunglasses with UV protection. Wear wide-brimmed hats. Clothing over body parts offers extra protection against UV rays, and sun-protective clothing can be found with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF).

Spray tan!

 Don't use tanning beds! There is no such thing as a safe tan. Tanning beds expose you to the same UV radiation as the sun, and have been linked to the development of skin cancer. In fact, people who use tanning beds are significantly more likely to develop melanoma than those who don't. If you want to darken your skin, try safe self-tanning prodcts.