Skin Cancer Removal in New Jersey

At Atlantic Surgical Associates we understand how difficult it can be to deal with any type of cancer. When your life and health hang in the balance, it is difficult to understand things such as reconstructive surgery. We work hand in hand with all of your treating physicians to coordinate your care and develop a plastic/reconstructive surgical plan unique to your needs. Dr. Volshteyn has worked with many patients and their physicians as they have battled cancer.

Some cancers, especially skin cancer, often leaves the face or other areas of the body disfigured. Since the head, neck, forehead, and lips endure the most sun exposure, eighty percent of all skin cancers appear in this area. Unfortunately when the cancer is removed from these areas, this leads to visible scars and disfigurements.

If you are battling skin cancer — no matter where it is — your plastic surgeon will be involved with your treatment, recovery, and healing throughout the entire process. Plastic surgeons are trained to create the least visible, best healing scars in the most naturally camouflaged locations. For instance, natural curves, lines and features can be followed when making incisions or suturing incisions. Your plastic surgeon can remove cancerous cells through excision, curettage and desiccation, or other forms of major surgery.

Take Steps to Protect Your Health Now

Know your skin and report irregular growths. How familiar are you with your skin? Do you know where your moles are? If there was a new lump or bump would you detect it immediately? Become an advocate for your own health and scan your body often — including your back and other areas that may be difficult to see — for any irregularities or changes. And then, if you do find anything, go see your doctor for a medical opinion.

Stay out of the sun. The ultraviolet radiation we receive from the sun is the number-one reason for skin cancer development. While people who live near the equator, in high altitudes or in consistently sunny weather are at a higher risk, everybody should be careful. And it doesn’t have to be sunny for the sun to get to you: ultraviolet radiation has little problem beaming through fog and overcast skies. And for goodness sake: stay away from tanning beds, sun lamps and never tan yourself in the summer.

Use sun protection. If you have to be in the sun, wear sunscreen, long sleeves, and a hat. Wear anything you can to protect your skin. You don’t have to limit your life. Just be smart about protecting your skin. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops of the ears, knees, and feet and to reapply where it gets easily rubbed off — like on the bridge of your nose from your sunglasses.

Act Sooner Than Later. Do you suspect that you may have skin cancer but are afraid to go to the doctor and have your fears affirmed? Most skin cancers are slow growing, non-spreading basal cell carcinomas that are simple to treat and remove. Other types of skin cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (which spread more easily than basal cell carcinomas) and malignant melanomas (which spread easily and grow rapidly). So the message here is: take care of it now. The chances are very good that if you have skin cancer, it will be easily treated. If it is something more serious, the earlier you catch it the better your odds are for beating it

If you are currently diagnosed or receiving treatment for any type of skin cancer and would like to see our board, certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Boris Volshteyn, please call our office at 732-641-3350