Encouraging Facts About Your Skin Cancer Diagnosis

There’s no denying that a skin cancer diagnosis can feel scary and overwhelming. But even though your mind might race to the worst possible scenario, it’s important to stay hopeful — and here’s why.

With early detection, advanced treatment options, and a high survival rate, you have a strong chance of beating the disease. Our team at Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, specializes in diagnosing and treating skin cancer and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Here are some encouraging facts to keep in mind as you navigate the coming weeks and months.

1. Skin cancer has one of the highest survival rates

First and foremost, skin cancers are highly treatable, especially when they’re detected early. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, and it has an estimated 100% five-year survival rate in cases that haven’t spread to other areas.

Even melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, has a 99% five-year survival rate when caught before it spreads to the lymph nodes. Regular skin checks and prompt treatment significantly improve your prognosis, because it increases your chances of detecting skin cancer in early stages.

2. Many skin cancers are slow-growing

Most BCCs and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) grow slowly over time, meaning that if you catch them early you have plenty of treatment options, and the time to consider them.

Unlike more aggressive cancers that spread quickly, skin cancer often remains localized for some time before spreading to other areas and becoming more serious. This extra time means that, although it’s important to seek prompt treatment, you have the opportunity to consider your options and get the most effective treatment for your unique situation.

3. Minimally invasive treatments are effective

These days, a skin cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean aggressive surgery. We take a minimally invasive approach whenever possible, and we offer skin cancer treatment procedures like:

• Excision, which involves cutting away the cancerous tissue
• Cryotherapy, which involves freezing small cancerous lesions to destroy abnormal cells
• Topical treatments, like prescription creams or photodynamic therapy
• Mohs surgery, a precise technique that removes only cancerous cells while preserving as much healthy skin as possible

The best treatment depends on the type of skin cancer you have, its location, and how far it has progressed. Our team is here to help you evaluate your options and make an informed decision about your care.

4. New treatments are becoming available

Advancements in targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy have made treating skin cancer more effective than ever. For example, newer drugs designed for advanced melanoma can help boost your immune system’s ability to fight cancer cells.

Breakthroughs like these provide more options and better outcomes for patients at every stage of diagnosis.

5. Prevention and monitoring reduce future risk

Once you’ve been diagnosed and treated for skin cancer, you can take steps to prevent future occurrences. Simple changes like wearing sunscreen daily, avoiding tanning beds, and scheduling regular skin exams can drastically reduce your risk of developing new skin cancers. The more proactive you are, the lower your chances of recurrence.

While receiving a skin cancer diagnosis is never easy, understanding your treatment options and prognosis can make the journey less daunting. At Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center, we’re committed to providing expert care and guidance to help you stay healthy and cancer-free.

If you have questions or you need a skin exam, we’re here for you. Call us at 201-836-9696 or book an appointment online today.