Skin CANCER
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Cancer develops when the body’s cells divide and spread uncontrollably. Risk factors for skin cancer include sunburn and spending time outdoors for work or leisure. Other risk factors include having fair skin, lots of moles, a family history of skin cancer, or the use of immunosuppressive medication.
If you have a suspicious mole or skin lesion and are worried that you might have skin cancer, have your skin checked by a specialist.
“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand. However, the chances of cure are high if detected early.”
Dr Juber Hafiji
If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, we will discuss which treatment is best suited to you and we will be with you throughout your treatment journey. Not all skin cancers are the same and every patient is unique.
There are two main categories of skin cancer - melanoma and non-melanoma. The two most common forms of non-melanoma cancer are Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma.
The 3 main types of skin cancer:
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. While slow-growing and unlikely to spread to other areas, locally they can be very invasive. They are usually found on areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun.
Squamous cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. How aggressive this cancer is depends on the behaviour of its cells – we can determine this by examining the cells under a microscope.
Malignant melanoma
It is important that melanoma is diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Without treatment, melanomas can spread quickly and for this reason, it remains the deadliest skin cancer worldwide.
Skin cancer treatments:
Mohs micrographic surgery
Dermatology Hawke’s Bay is the region’s only provider of world-leading ‘gold standard’ Mohs micrographic surgery, ensuring complete removal of a cancer with minimal removal of healthy tissue and scarring.
Photodynamic therapy
Bringing the ‘gold standard’ of skin cancer treatment to Hawke’s Bay
Dermatology Hawke’s Bay is the region’s only provider of world-leading Mohs micrographic surgery, ensuring complete removal of a cancer with minimal tissue removal and scarring.
