Skin Cancer Treatment Utah

Skin Cancer

Treatment of the skin cancer depends on the type of skin cancer and where the cancer is located. Dr. Hinckley offers various surgical treatments for skin cancers including Mohs micrographic surgery, excision, curettage, cryosurgery, topical medication and photodynamic therapy.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer treatment may include the following:

If after a biopsy is done and the diagnosis is skin cancer, usually more treatment is needed. Treatment of the skin cancer depends on the type of skin cancer and where the cancer is located. Dr. Hinckley offers various surgical treatments for skin cancers including Mohs micrographic surgery, excision, curettage, cryosurgery, topical medication and photodynamic therapy.

Mohs micrographic surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is the most advanced and effective treatment for skin cancer available. It minimizes the chance of re-growth and lessens the potential for scarring or disfigurement. Learn more here.

Excisions

Excision is a process whereby the area is numbed with local anesthesia, then the cancerous area is removed by cutting around and under the cancer, then the skin is sutured back together.

Reconstructive Surgery

Part of Dr. Hinckley’s surgical work includes reconstructive surgery. After removing a skin cancer, various techniques are used to restore the surgery site to as close to its original appearance as possible. These different repairs include standard linear closures as well as flaps and grafts and in some cases allowing the wound to heal without any intervention.

Factos to consider:

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in over two million people are diagnosed annually. Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Over the past 31 years, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Nearly 800,000 Americans are living with a history of melanoma and 13 million are living with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer, typically diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers increased by nearly 77 percent between 1992 and 2006. Between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have either skin cancer at least once.

Learn more about skin cancer here, or download some information about Mohs surgery below.

Mohs Surgery Info Download

Skin Cancer Prevention Guidelines

Sunscreen & Sun Protection

Sunscreen should be worn every day (except during a blizzard)
Many moisturizers contain a sunscreen. Each morning apply one with at least a 30 SPF, including cloudy days.
If you are planning to spend more extended periods of time outside for work or recreation, wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 70 higher (applied generously 30 minutes before going outside) as well as a wide‐brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses.
If swimming or sweating, re‐apply every 1‐2 hours.
Seek shade, especially between 10:00am and 4:00 pm
Do NOT burn or tan and avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

Check for Moles or Suspicious Lesions

Examine your skin from head-to-toe every 6 months.
Look at your backside in the mirror or have your spouse check your backside and someone check your scalp. MELANOMAS CAN EVEN OCCUR AROUND THE ANUS AND GENITALIA SO CHECK THERE
Most dangerous moles (melanomas) are very dark, bigger than a pencil eraser, and are usually flat. Other types of skin cancer are typically pink and can bleed.

If you have been treated previously for skin cancer, you may consider taking Niacinamide 500 mg twice daily, as it can decrease your risk of future skin cancers. It is available over the counter without a prescriptoin.

Below are products recommendations that meet the criteria of safe and effective UV sun protection.

A. Chemical Sunscreens

These sunscreens that cause a reaction that diffuses the solar radiation to prevent damage to the skin. Historically, these sunscreens were not as effective at blocking UVA as UVB but there are formulations now that contain something called “helioplex” and another called “ecamsule” or “mexoryl” that help protect against this wave length.

Recommended products:
Neutrogena (contains helioplex)
Anthelios by LaRoche Posay (contains ecamsule/mexoryl)

While some concern has been expressed about possible toxicity with chemical sunscreen use, good data are lacking to prove they are harmful. However, if a person wishes to avoid the possibility altogether, a physical sunscreen can be used.

B. Physical sunscreens

These sunscreens block the sun and include products such as zinc and titanium. They work for both UVA and UVB. Some versions leave an obvious white residue on the skin, but some may be less likely to cause the “pasty” look.

Recommended products:
TiZo made by Solar Protection Formula
SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense