Dr. Sam Smith
Skin cancer is expected to affect more than 3 million people in the United States this year alone.
This number represents more cases of cancer than all other cancers combined. Most of these cases are the nonmelanoma skin cancers, which include both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. People living in Arizona are more prone to these types of skin cancer because of our high altitude, low latitude and our very warm climate. This is important because most people living in Arizona spend time outdoors all year round. Arizona will have more cases of skin cancer than any other state in the country.
These nonmelanoma skin cancers generally will present as non-healing, painful or bleeding lesions. However, many of these lesions can present without any symptoms at all. The sooner these lesions are detected, the easier the course of treatment will be in the long run. Nonmelanoma skin cancers can be treated with various medical and surgical procedures.
The more aggressive types of skin cancers are melanomas. It is estimated that more than 1 million Americans are living with melanoma. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates there will be more than 178,000 new cases of melanoma in 2018.
If melanomas are caught early and do not spread to lymph nodes, the five-year survival rate is roughly 99 percent. However, if there is regional or distant spread to lymph nodes, this percentage drops down to 63 percent and 20 percent respectively. Therefore, observation of moles or any new dark spots on the skin should be monitored closely.
Patients should be looking for moles and new dark areas that are:
- Asymmetric
- Irregular bordered
- Dark with multiple colors
- Diameter greater than 5 mm
- Evolving or changing moles
If caught early, even melanomas can be surgically removed before they spread.
At Smith Dermatology, we recommend residents of Arizona schedule a total body skin exam at least once a year. We believe in preventative medicine, and will do everything we can to treat areas before they turn into one of the above-mentioned cancers. If a cancer already has developed, we will treat it with the best available modalities. Please wear a sunscreen with an SPF above 30 that is both UVA and UVB protective. Make sure to apply before sun exposure and reapply throughout the day when exposed to the sun’s harmful rays.
About Dr. Sam Smith
Dr. Sam Smith is a board-certified dermatologist who has been in private practice for 13 years in the Mesa and Gilbert areas. His undergraduate degree is from Penn State, with a Bachelor of Science degree in health policy and administration. Dr. Smith then completed a master’s degree in public health, with an emphasis in behavioral and community health sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. He went on to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he completed his medical training. After medical school, he completed an internship at the Frankford Hospitals of the Jefferson Health System, in Philadelphia. Finally, his dermatology residency was completed at the Western University of Health Sciences, in Arizona. Dr. Smith specializes in all areas of medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his wife and four kids.
For more information, or to make an appointment with Dr. Sam Smith, call (480) 999-0049. His office is at Red Mountain Medical Plaza, located at 8035 E. Brown Road, Building 4.