More Informed Choices. Credible Online Sources With No Agenda.
Research and Education on Cancer Treatment Options
Serving Patients, Caregivers and Medical Professionals Since 2001
This page is dedicated to Mark Zoellick, who passed away after a courageous year-long battle with metastatic melanoma on October 24, 2002.
What everyone should know about skin cancers:
ALL skin cancers must be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible by a qualified dermatologist. If you suspect a problem go get it treated. Unfortately some physicians who are not dermatologists still do not understand the seriousness of skin cancers or know them when they see them, especially melanoma.
There are 3 types of skin cancer.
Melanoma is the deadliest if not surgically removed—the earlier the better. If it has proceeded to Metastatic Melanoma there are other treatments that only your Dermatologist can recommend. Any pigmented skin lesion with recent changes in appearance is suspicious and MUST be checked as soon as possible by a qualified Dermatologist. “Changes in appearance” include changes in color, asymmetry of shape and irregular borders in a spot on your skin that looks somewhat like a mole.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common (90%) skin cancer type. It can be a fragile spot that bleeds easily.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer type. The most critical thing to know about this one is that if it appears on your lip (or other mucous membrane area) it can be MUCH more aggressive, even fatal. Once again, you MUST have it diagnosed and treated ONLY by a well-qualified Dermatologist, so call one if you even suspect you possibly have any skin cancer.
MELANOMA
http://www.mpip.org/
Melanoma Patients' Information Page Support, information needed to proactively participate in treatment decisions. Offers chat, bulletin board, and other community resources.
http://www.melanoma.com/
Melanoma.com Self-examination and symptoms, prevention, therapy, and more.
http://www.mdanderson.org/diseases/melanoma
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center:new melanoma treatment procedures and clinical trials
SKIN CANCER INFORMATION (ALL TYPES)
http://www.skincancerinfo.com/glossary.html
Need to understand skin cancer terms? This is a good glossary.
http://www.skincancer.org
The Skin Cancer Foundation
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/skincancer.html
MEDLINEplus: Skin Cancer
http://www.mdanderson.org/diseases/skincancer/
M.D. Anderson’s page on non-melanoma skin cancers
http://www.quackwatch.org/00AboutQuackwatch/altseek.html
Alternative Skin Cancer Treatments with little or no scientific evidence to support thier claims.
Web Site Updated 4/15/2008
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