Nearly half of all new cancers are skin cancer and more than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. Approximately 80% of these skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas, 16% are squamous cell carcinomas and 4% are melanoma. The incidence of melanoma has tripled since the 1980’s and is a particularly common form of cancer in younger women. Most lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18. A single severe sunburn in childhood increases the risk for the development of skin cancer. Recommendations for the prevention and early detection of skin cancer include a head-to-toe exam, once a year, by a Board-certified Dermatologist.
Dr. Ng spends time with her patients to educate them about proper sun protection and the importance of frequent skin cancer examinations by an experienced Dermatologist to reliably detect and surgically remove suspicious areas (malignant and pre-malignant lesions). Skin cancer surgery may include using a graft. A graft occurs when a surgeon removes some skin, tissue, muscle and/or fat (with or without veins or arteries supplying blood to this material) and surgically attaches it to another part of the body.
Dr. Christine Ng, M.D. 