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 an 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