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Patient Education News
Skin Cancer Education by Dermatologists for Skin Cancer Awareness Month
May 15, 2012
In honor of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, nearly 4,000 dermatologists using Vivacare’s patient education service are helping to inform their patients and local community about the prevalence of skin cancer, the importance of skin cancer prevention and detection, as well as the availability of treatment options.
Skin cancer the most frequently diagnosed of all cancers with 1 in 5 Americans developing skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Over 13 million Americans are living with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and nearly 800,000 Americans are living with a history of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
Actinic keratoses are considered PRECANCEROUS by many physicians and have the potential to become a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In fact, 40-60% of squamous cell skin cancers begin as untreated AKs.
Solaraze® Gel is a prescription-only medication applied onto the skin for the treatment of precancerous skin lesions called actinic keratoses, or "AKs". Solaraze® is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy is the first in a new class of therapy for AKs and can be used on all affected areas of the body.
Mohs Surgery for Skin Cancer Explained by Dermatologist Dr. Patrick Killian, M.D.
February 14, 2012
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the most successful procedure for removing nonmelanoma skin cancers. The goal of Mohs surgery is to completely remove the skin cancer while keeping as much normal skin tissue intact.
Patrick Killian, M.D., Mohs Cancer Surgeon at Trillium Creek Dermatology & Surgery Center describes the benefits of Mohs surgery for the treatment of skin cancer, and what to expect from the procedure.
Skin cancer is the most common from of human cancer. There are three major types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common types of skin cancer.
According to Dr. Killian, "With Mohs surgery, 100% of the specimen is examined, which explains why Mohs surgery results in much higher cure rates than other forms of surgery. This differs from a standard surgical excision when the pathologist slices the specimen vertically, like a loaf of bread. Using this technique, the pathologist is only sampling the margins of the tissue, so only 1% of the specimen is being examined."
Actinic Keratoses Can Lead to Skin Cancer
January 27, 2012
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are dry, scaly patches that form on sun exposed areas of the skin, including the scalp, face, forearms, and back of the hands. A single lesion is called an "actinic keratosis" or "solar keratosis".
Actinic keratoses are considered PRECANCEROUS and have the potential to become a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In fact, 40-60% of squamous cell skin cancers begin as untreated AKs.
Therefore, your doctor will be diligent in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring actinic keratoses. Also, since actinic keratoses result from chronic sun exposure, those with AKs are at risk for developing other types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma or melanoma.
Fortunately, actinic keratoses are treatable when detected in the early stages. People at risk for actinic keratoses and skin cancer can reduce that risk by performing frequent skin self-exams and seeing their doctor for regular screenings.
Contact Dermatitis Symptoms
January 18, 2012
Contact Dermatitis is an extremely itchy rash that develops when someone comes into contact with a substance to which he or she is allergic. The rash of contact dermatitis may start as soon as several hours after contact with the allergen. And it can take days to weeks to heal even after the allergen is removed from the skin.
The symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis might be treated with one or more of the following:
- Anthistamines to control the itching
- Moisturizers, to heal damaged skin and provide a barrier
- Topical corticosteroids
- Oral steroids, such as prednisone, used for a short period for severe cases
- Topical immunomodulators (Elidel, Protopic)
Oracea Treats the Lesions of Rosacea, Not Bacteria
October 19, 2011
Unlike traditional doxycyclines (antibiotics), Oracea® does not work by killing bacteria. Instead, it has a lower dosage designed to help reduce the inflammatory lesions of rosacea. That's important because:
- Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition — not a bacterial infection
- In many cases, rosacea requires long-term management, and in clinical studies, Oracea® has not shown to contribute to bacterial resistance
Oracea® (doxycycline) is an oral therapy that reduces the inflammatory lesions (red bumps, blemishes, and pustules) of rosacea. It will not lessen the facial redness caused by this condition.
Please be aware that there are no generic equivalent medications for Oracea®.
Dermatology Medication Rebates and Refills
The Medication Rebates handout has a variety of medication rebates. Also find information about prescription refills and a pharmacy directory.
Find a Dermatologist Who Cares About Patient Education
Find a leading dermatologist who specializes in the treatment of acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, skin cancer, as well as wrinkles and other signs of aging skin.
Learn more about each doctor to find a dermatologist who is board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology and has been licensed to practice medicine by your state medical board.
Some dermatologists include the professional suffix "F.A.A.D." (or "FAAD") with their name. This means that they area "Fellow" of the American Academy of Dermatology. Being a Fellow means that the dermatologist is certified by the American Board of Dermatology or Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada and has completed an evaluation designed to assess the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to provide high quality dermatology care.
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