Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer services located in Salida and Gunnison, CO

Skin cancer is common and highly treatable when found early. Sheree Beddingfield, PA-C, and Janelle Wolek, APRN, are experts at diagnosing, treating, and preventing skin cancer at Salida Dermatology in Salida and Gunnison, Colorado. As a local dermatology practice, they understand your lifestyle and needs and do everything they can to keep you and your skin healthy. For expert skin cancer care, call or schedule a consultation online today.

Skin Cancer Q&A

What causes skin cancer?

Skin cancer occurs when there’s an overgrowth of abnormal skin cells, creating a lesion. Damaged DNA in the skin cells causes abnormal growth.

Though researchers are still investigating what causes skin cancer, it’s theorized that overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or a tanning lamp creates DNA damage that leads to cancerous skin cells.

Salida Dermatology specializes in finding, treating, and preventing skin cancer. The providers at the dermatology practice live the same active lifestyle that you do. They do everything they can to help you protect your skin and health while engaging in your outdoor life.

What do the types of skin cancer look like?

There are many types of skin cancer. Knowing what the different types look like can help you find abnormal lesions so you can take action immediately.

Some of the common types of skin cancer and their appearance include:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

BCC may appear as a flesh-colored, pearly, or pinkish growth, lesion, or bump. They tend to affect sun-exposed areas of the skin like the head, neck, or arms.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

SCC may appear as a red bump, scaly patch of skin, or nonhealing sore. This type of cancer also affects sun-exposed areas of skin like the face, ears, chest, arms, or back.

Melanoma

Melanoma looks like an abnormal mole. It may appear as a black or brown growth with an asymmetrical border or varying colors. Melanoma may appear on any part of your skin, including those areas that never see the sun, like the bottom of your feet.

Actinic keratoses (AK) is a scaly patch of skin that usually appears on the areas of the skin that get a lot of sun exposure. Though not a type of cancer, AK lesions may turn into SCC.

What are the treatments for skin cancer?

Surgical removal of the cancerous lesion is the primary treatment for skin cancer. The providers at Salida Dermatology are skilled at performing simple excisions for skin cancer.

They also examine your skin cancer to see if you might benefit from Mohs surgery, a highly specialized treatment for aggressive forms of skin cancer.

When caught early, surgical removal is the only treatment necessary for skin cancer. However, if your cancer has invaded other parts of your body, you may need other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Call Salida Dermatology or schedule your skin cancer consultation with the experts online today.