Did you know that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined? You might think it’s unlikely to affect you until you’re older, but one specific type of skin cancer – melanoma – is one of the most common cancers you’ll find even among young adults. Melanoma also accounts for a large majority of skin cancer deaths due to its aggressive nature.
Take care of your skin
Especially in the hot and sunny climate we enjoy here in Arizona, skin cancer and melanoma deserve our attention. The best thing you can do for your skin is wear a good SPF sunscreen (30 or greater) that protects your skin against UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays). Put it on every couple of hours that you’re outside – even if it’s cloudy.
Regular skin screenings are critical
With proper care and monitoring, you can prevent skin cancer or catch it early, which lessens the chance you’ll be dealing with an advanced stage of cancer. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on your skin for anything suspicious, and why getting regular skin checks from a dermatologist is so critical.
It’s recommended that you begin annual skin screenings in your 20s or 30s, but if you’re in the sun a lot or have a family history of skin cancer, you should talk to your doctor about being screened sooner.
“The good news is that proper screenings catch skin cancers earlier. The earlier skin cancers are treated, the higher the chance of a cure,” says Justin Moser, MD, a hematologist and medical oncologist at the HonorHealth Research Institute Melanoma Clinic. “Even with melanoma, if it’s detected early, the five-year survival rate is 99%.”
HonorHealth Research Institute Melanoma Clinic
Skin cancer treatment options at HonorHealth
But what happens if your skin cancer isn’t detected early? At the HonorHealth Research Institute Melanoma Clinic, you’ll find the latest, most innovative care for patients with advanced skin cancers.
“Our patients are welcomed into an innovative, patient-focused culture where we work with a team of ophthalmologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, dermatologists and other specialists to provide the best care,” says Dr. Moser.
Partnering with multiple dermatology, surgical and oncology groups throughout the Valley, the clinic offers one of the most in-depth, state-of-the-science skin cancer programs available. We also focus on less common forms of skin cancer that have fewer treatment options.
We offer:
- One of the largest groups of clinical trials for patients with advanced melanoma and other skin cancers.
- An FDA-approved injectable treatment for advanced melanoma – one of the few places in Arizona that offers this therapy.
- A dedicated program for patients with uveal melanoma (eye cancer).
- Cellular therapy options for patients with advanced melanoma.