Dr. Holder does full body exams or skin cancer screenings. Anyone can get skin cancer regardless of skin type type or color. However, some people are at a higher risk than others.  Patients often have  questions about a mole that has suddenly changed in appearance e,g, become larger, asymmetric, discolored, borders suddenly  irregular, or sometimes bleeds especially when shaving.

Who is at a higher risk for skin cancer?

  • light colored skin types (Fitzpatrick I-III)
  • blonde or red hair
  • blue or green eyes
  • individuals who come from families with a lot of moles
  • individuals who have 1st degree relatives who have been diagnosed with skin cancer: (mother, father, siblings, grandparents)
  • frequently burned areas of skin e.g one blistering sunburn in one’s lifetime
  • a weakened immune system
  • an overactive immune system against self (autoimmunity) as is case with melanoma
  • anyone with a irregular shaped mole
  • anyone using tanning devices

Dr. Holder advocates skin cancer prevention by providing all of her patients with samples of sunscreen and our patients have 100% compliance of sunscreen use.

Dr. Holder will do a biopsy depending on her index of suspicion influenced by a patient risk profile. Often after doing the biopsy, she refers to a MOHS surgeon (micrographic surgeon) for treatment and/ or a better cosmetic outcome. 

The types of skin cancer most frequently seen:

  • Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
  • Melanoma
  • Actinic keratosis is a pre-cancer which if left untreated may transform to Squamous Cell Carcinoma