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The importance of a skin cancer screening session in Stockton

The importance of a skin cancer screening session in Stockton

Skin cancer is one of the most common variations of cancer, and according to the ACS (American Cancer Society); it makes up over half of all cancer diagnoses. It has become a serious epidemic and is continually rising each year in the United States, with thousands dying annually, which is why education, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for skin cancer should not be overlooked.
 
Dr. Gerald Bock at California Skin and Laser Center understands the importance of taking good care of the skin. This includes a proper skin care regimen as well as wearing sunscreen every day on exposed skin, regardless of the amount of time spent outside. Patients should be aware of when they are spending time outdoors, avoiding the peak times when UV rays are at their strongest in the middle of the day. In addition, patients should maintain regular skin cancer screening sessions with their dermatologist.
 
Stockton area patients should fully embrace regular skin cancer screenings. When patients take the time for an annual examination, they may be able to catch cancerous cells long before they become problematic and work with their dermatologist to develop a treatment plan right for them. For some patients, simple excision can remove the cancer altogether from the body, while some patients may still need to undergo chemotherapy or radiation.
 
Skin cancer screenings are done by noting any unusual skin tags or growths, changes in moles, or even wounds that do not heal. Dr. Gerald Bock will check the body from head to toe to look for any possible signs of cancer. If there are concerns, he may perform a biopsy to check for cancer cells.
 
If you live in or around the area of Stockton and want to see a professional about skin cancer screening, contact the team at California Skin and Laser Center today to book an appointment with Dr. Gerald Bock.
 
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Stockton specialist emphasizes prevention, early diagnosis with highly curable skin cancer

No one wants to be alarmed about a new growth or change to a spot he or she has always had. Accordingly, Dr. Gerald Bock emphasizes the importance of early detection, self- and professional exams, and preventive techniques. It can’t be said enough — If found and removed early, skin cancers are almost always curable.
 
Even a few decades past, those with some skin cancer diagnoses may have faced a very grim outlook, especially if the growth had metastasized or spread to other areas. Today, thanks to clinical research, there is a considerably brighter outlook for even the most complicated of cancers. That said, the sooner we can identify a suspicious lesion as cancerous, the earlier Dr. Bock and his team at California Skin & Laser can develop a course of treatment, limiting the need for extensive procedures or complications.
 
Be vigilant about your skin. You may have heard of the “ABCDEs” of skin cancer detection. If you notice any of the following, make an appointment with us immediately:

  • Asymmetry — If you can draw the line through the middle of a mole, spot, or elevated growth and the two sides don’t match, that can be a warning sign for cancers like melanoma
  • Border — Benign growths and moles have smooth borders. Unevenly-shaped, scalloped or notched or spots may be cause for concern.
  • Color — Spots and lesions of one color, such as brown, are typically less concerning than those featuring a number of different colors. You may also see tan, black, red, white or blue shades.
  • Diameter — Just how big is a suspicious mole? Generally, cancers are larger around than a pencil eraser (or about one-fourth of an inch).
  • Evolving — If you notice that a mole or spot is changing in size, shape, color, thickness, and/or is bleeding, itching, or crusting, these are red flags.

There is no substitute for professional examinations. Dr. Bock is a pioneer in the most precise and successful of melanoma treatments. As such, before embarking on the likes of Mohs Micrographic Surgery, he has examined skin changes that are concerning to individuals or those changes that may be spotted as part of a regular professional skin check. Even though you may be diligent about checking your skin for the “ABCs …,” Dr. Bock and his team are trained to look for these types of cancers and can also better examine areas that are hard-to-reach, such as the back and shoulders. These areas are also susceptible due to exposure from the sun’s UV rays.
 
A skin biopsy may be the next step. This involves taking a small sample of the suspicious looking area. This tissue will then be sent to a lab for testing. This biopsy can then determine both if you have cancer and the type. By determining both the type of cancer and the extent or stage of cancer Dr. Bock can get to work on identifying the best treatment options for you.
 
Whether you have new or changing moles or spots or not, don’t hesitate. Call California Skin & Laser on 209-751-4292 to schedule an examination and, potentially, resolve any concerns or questions you may about skin cancer diagnosis in Stockton.
 
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Stockton practice learns best skin cancer treatment from inventor of Mohs Micrographic Surgery technique

Best skin cancer treatment from inventor of Mohs Micrographic Surgery technique

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is widely considered the “gold standard” for skin cancer treatment. Living in Stockton you have access to a specialist, Dr. Gerald Bock, who trained with the Dr. Frederic E. Mohs. The late general surgeon pioneered this technique.
 
Yes, MMS is a precise treatment for certain types of cancers. But is it the best skin cancer treatment in Stockton for you?

Types of cancer

Aktinic or solar keratoses, often look like scaly, crusty patches, or like warts that can turn red.
 
These “precancers,” as they are known, have the potential to also evolve into the most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, or the second most common type, squamous cell carcinoma.
 
Almost all AKs can be removed if caught early. Generally, AKs have been eliminated with everything from freezing techniques where the growth shrinks, blisters, and eventually falls off, to topical medications and photodynamic therapy (or some combo thereof). The lesion may be scraped, chemicals may be used to peel off the affected area, and lasers may be used as a primary treatment or secondary when medications and other techniques fail.
 
Rarely, the common basal cell carcinoma can be quite dangerous and spread. California Skin & Laser can intervene with many of the same types of techniques mentioned above. However, there has also been an oral medication approved by the FDA for advanced BCC. Excisional surgery, radiation, and electrodessication involving an electric needle are also potential treatments. If your tumor is large, has come back, is hard to pinpoint or in critical and obvious areas (such as the eyes, nose, lips, ears, temple, scalp, and fingers) Dr. Bock may recommend Mohs Micrographic Surgery.
 
Squamous cell carcinoma also looks like red, crusty patches or warts. Treatment for SCC is similar to that for BCC. Also like BCC, this type of cancer can in rare cases spread to lymph nodes, tissues, and organs. This feature underscores the importance of getting treatment early, before the tumors enlarge and spread, requiring extensive treatment.
 
Generally, dysplastic nevi or atypical moles look worse than they actually are. Since they are often dark and flat, it’s easy to see how people mistake them for melanoma. Also, those with 100-plus moles and other “atypical” characteristics like a diameter larger than one-third of an inch are at far greater risk of melanoma. It’s critical for those with these moles to regularly examine their skin and have professional skin checks. Since there are dangers associated with this type of condition, treatment may involve removal of the affected area, depending on the results of tests. Moles may also be removed for cosmetic reasons.
 
Many people have heard of melanoma. Mohs Micrographic Surgery has the highest rates of success and is considered the most precise way to remove this type of cancer, as well as other recurrent or more complex cancers.
 
Generally, Dr. Bock will progressively remove one layer of cancer-containing skin at a time. Examining each layer of tissue under the microscope, tissue will be removed until there are no signs of cancer. In this way, surgical staff can verify all cancerous cells have been eradicated.
 
There is no one preferred way to treat every person and his or her cancer. Treatment depends on the type of cancer (or precancer) and the size, depth and location of concerning areas. Whatever the case may be, don’t wait. Call 209-751-4292 to schedule an appointment with California Skin & Laser. Also be sure to regularly schedule skin checks with us, so you never have to live with the “what ifs” of a strange-looking growth or changing condition.
 
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