Beach Chamber asks, "Why should you see a Board-Certified Dermatologist?"
01 December 2011 / News Articles / 0 Comment
ASK THE DOCTOR
(Published in “The Circuit,” magazine, distributed by the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, November/December 2011)
By Dr. Jon Ward
Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer in the United States. Over 2 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this year. Florida leads the nation in the rate of skin cancer so if you live in the Sunshine State, chances are it has already affected you in some way. The amount of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, has been increasing steadily and has been described as an epidemic. In the coming year it is expected that nearly 80,000 cases will be diagnosed and nearly 10,000 people will die from melanoma. The best way to survive melanoma is early detection and melanomas found by dermatologists through screening exams are shown to be smaller, thinner, and less likely to have spread.
A common question I get from the presentations I give is, “My regular doctor looks at my skin, do I still need to see a dermatologist?” And my answer is always a resounding “YES!” A survey of US medical students in 2006 revealed that half of graduates had never performed a complete skin examination. Also, there is no residency training requirement for Dermatology in any of the other ACGME approved residency programs. It is likely that a person’s regular doctor (or nurse practitioner) has little or no experience diagnosing and treating skin cancer. I would make the case that a dermatology physician assistant has more training and expertise in diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer than anyone but a Board-Certified Dermatologist. Just a few examples of cases I have seen in the last year underscore the need for skin cancer examination by a dermatologist. I had a middle-age patient with a brown patch on the nose that was first treated with Fraxel laser as a sun spot. It did not go away with laser treatement and she was out of pocket over $1,000. She came to see me and the spot was biopsied. The diagnosis was melanoma. Fortunately, the melanoma had not yet spread outside the skin, but it was misdiagnosed and could have killed the patient. I had another patient with a spot on the nose biopsied by her regular doctor and told it was OK. After two years, additional visits, and being told the biopsy said the spot was benign, the patient came to see me for a second opinion. It was an obvious skin cancer and when the report was reviewed it stated that the biopsy was very shallow and that it might need to be re-biopsied. This patient lost the majority of her nose and she was disfigured. The correct diagnosis two years prior could have made a huge difference in this person’s life.
Since 1990, dermatology training during residency has focused on both medical and surgical treatment of skin cancer. Freshly minted dermatologists are skilled surgeons who, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, perform more skin flaps and grafts than any other specialty. The old days of sending out care to a “surgeon” are in the past and now most dermatologists utilize the Mohs’ surgery technique to give the highest cure rate for skin cancer and then perform the repair in their office with local anesthesia.
There are many reasons to see your Board-Certified Dermatologist. We complete a three year residency that focuses on skin disease and treatment. There is no other doctor with a fraction of the knowledge of skin disorders, medical treatment, and surgical interventions of the skin. There is open access in the state of Florida with no referrals necessary to see a Dermatologist. When it comes to your skin health (and in the case of melanoma, your life), accept no substitutions. Have your skin exam performed by a Board-Certified Dermatologist this year.
Dr. Jon Ward is a Board-Certified Dermatologist and founder of Gulf Coast Dermatology. Gulf Coast Dermatology remains the only Dermatology group with an office in Panama City Beach. For an appointment, call (850) 233-3376 (DERM), or visit their office at 12111 Panama City Beach Parkway. Their main office is at 2505 Harrison Ave. in Panama City.