- Hale Road Medical 1/384 Holmes Road Forrestfield WA
- 0893590776
- 8:00 AM to 5:30PM
What is Skin Cancer?
Identified in our skin cancer clinic at Hale Road Medical Centre, skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin. The cancerous growth usually develops on skin exposed to the sun—more than 95% of skin cancers occur due to exposure to UV rays. But this is not always the case. Though UV radiation often comes from the sun, it can also come from artificial sources like glue curing lights, arc welders, & solariums (also called tanning beds or sun lamps). Note that UV radiation cannot be felt or seen or & is not related to temperature. Exposure to it causes premature skin aging, sunburn, and damage to skin cells. All of this can cause Skin Cancer. But if skin cancer screening is done earlier, its on-time diagnosis can lead to better results from skin cancer treatment at a skin cancer clinic.
There are three major types:
It begins in the basal cells within the skin. Their function is to produce or regenerate new skin cells. Generally, the cancerous growth appears as a transparent bump on the skin & occurs on the skin areas exposed to the sun, like your neck and head. Long-term exposure to UV rays is the leading cause of Basal Cell Carcinomas. So, to protect yourself from this type of Skin Cancer, avoid the sun and use sunscreen whenever you venture out into daylight. If you see any symptoms, visit our skin cancer clinic-Hale Road Medical.
It develops in the squamous cells contained in the middle and outer layers of the skin. Though Squamous Cell Carcinoma can be aggressive, it is generally not fatal. However, if untreated, it can spread to other areas of your body & cause serious complications. If you are wondering, “Where can I find a clinic for skin cancer screening near me?” reach out to us.
It is the most severe type of Skin Cancer as it spreads more rapidly than the other kinds of Skin Cancer. Melanoma develops in melanocytes–the cells that produce melanin, which gives the skin its color. Further, it can also form in your eyes. Sometimes, even inside your body, like the throat or nose. If it is detected early through a mole check, successful, on-time treatment becomes possible.
Regular screening for skin cancer helps you detect the condition (if present) earlier. On-time diagnosis leads to sooner treatment. Besides, the chances of the effectiveness of the therapy also improve. Skin Cancer can occur anywhere on the body, and a cancerous growth may be perceived as a normal mole. When a professional examines your skin, they take a closer look at such changes to ensure that you do not have Skin Cancer. If you find a suspicious spot or mole on your skin, the chances are that you have Skin Cancer. Put an end to your worries by consulting a dermatologist at our skin cancer clinic.
When you see a specialist perform the screening, you understand how to conduct your screenings at home. Moreover, the doctor will tell you to keep an eye on a specific area or mole if it changes over time. If required, they may even devise a skin cancer treatment plan for you. We suggest that you conduct monthly skin evaluations at home as a precaution. Also, undergo an annual screening performed by a dermatologist at our skin cancer clinic-Hale Road Medical.
A visual evaluation of your skin takes place by a board-certified dermatologist specializing in identifying dysplastic nevi, atypical moles, unusual marks, and other suspicious marks that may indicate Skin Cancer. The dermatologist may use a bright light or hand-held magnification tool–Dermatoscope–to look at skin lesions in detail. No needles are used, so the screenings are not painful. The entire process takes less than half an hour to get completed.
In Cryotherapy, the doctor applies extreme cold to freeze & destroy abnormal tissue. A substance–liquid nitrogen or argon gas–is used to create this severe cold. Meanwhile, in Excisional Surgery, the doctor cuts out the cancerous tissue and a surrounding margin of healthy skin. Mohs Surgery is done for more significant or recurring skin cancers in areas where it is essential to conserve as much skin as possible (like the nose). The expert removes the skin growth layer by layer and examines every layer under the microscope until no abnormal cells remain.
Another method is Radiation Therapy wherein high-powered energy beams like X-rays eliminate cancer cells. It is generally done when cancer cannot be completely removed through surgery. In Chemotherapy, the cancers spread on the skin’s top layer, creams or lotions are applied directly to the skin. Following this, systemic chemotherapy is used for skin cancers that have spread to other parts of the body. Physicians deliver this skin cancer treatment method intravenously or orally. As a result, the drugs travel throughout the body and eradicate cancer.
In Photodynamic Therapy, a combination of laser light and drugs destroys skin cancer cells. Your body’s immune system is used to kill cancer cells in Biological Therapy. Some of its types include adoptive cell transfer, angiogenesis inhibitors, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy, and Biochemotherapy, among others.
If the specialist finds a spot that may be cancerous after a skin cancer check, they will perform a skin biopsy. During this procedure, they will scrape a small amount of skin tissue–with a scalpel or a blade–& examine it under a microscope. It is generally done right then and there in the office after the administration of anesthesia. The specialist will share the test results with you in around seven days. If the growth is cancerous, the doctor will eradicate it or treat it with one of the methods mentioned above.
Our Skin Cancer Screening services are offered by Dr. Rupinder Singh.
