Skin Cancer
-
- Tweet
Santa Barbara Skin Institute
Dermatology & Mohs Surgery located in Santa Barbara, CA & Solvang, CA
Skin cancer affects over 2 million Americans every year. Roberta Sengelmann, MD is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon who treats all types of skin cancer at Santa Barbara Skin Institute in Santa Barbara and Solvang, California. For the highest quality care in skin cancer treatment, call or book an appointment online today.
Skin Cancer Q & A
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer happens when your skin cells grow rapidly and out of control. This most often occurs on areas on your skin that receive frequent sun exposure, such as the face, neck, and hands.
Dr. Sengelmann, and the expert team at Santa Barbara Skin Institute treat all types of skin cancer, including:
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. Most of the time, this type appears as a shiny bump or blemish that doesn’t heal.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This is the second-most common type of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma often looks like a scaly bump or patch that may be mistaken for a wart or area of dry skin.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the least common but most lethal form of skin cancer. However, melanoma is easy to treat when caught early. This type of cancer often appears as a mole that may have uneven borders or irregular coloring.
Many times, skin cancer isn’t painful and can be easy to overlook. That’s why it’s crucial to visit the expert dermatologists at Santa Barbara Skin Institute for routine skin cancer screenings.
Anyone can develop skin cancer, regardless of skin tone. However, certain factors may increase your risk of developing skin cancer, including:
- Having fair skin
- Getting frequent sunburns
- Excessive sun exposure
- Family history of skin cancer
- Personal history of skin cancer
Exposure to UV rays from the sun is strongly correlated with the incidence of skin cancer, so people who spend a lot of time in the sun or live in sunny or high-altitude regions are at greater risk of developing this disease.
Shielding your skin with sunscreen SPF 15 or above, wearing wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and other protective clothing may reduce your risk of getting skin cancer.
What is the treatment for skin cancer?
Dr. Sengelmann is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon who have achieved the highest degree of education in the field of skin cancer treatment. When you visit Santa Barbara Skin Institute, you can rest assured you’re receiving the best care.
Mohs surgery is the paramount treatment for many types of skin cancer, including melanoma in its early stages. This advanced technique involves removing small amounts of tissue until no cancer cells remain.
Only trained surgeons, such as Dr. Sengelmann, can perform this highly effective procedure. If you’re not a candidate for Mohs surgery, they also perform excisional surgery.
For expert care in skin cancer treatment, call Santa Barbara Skin Institute or book an appointment online.
And for more information on skin cancer, please visit the following websites:
