Skin cancer is becoming very common. In fact, approximately 3.3 million people are treated for skin cancer every year. So it is something that many people have to deal with. If skin cancer is caught early, there is a very good success rate for surgeries that cut the cancer out of the skin. It can be sort of nerve racking to think of going trough a surgery, but skin cancer surgery is not that bad. One way that doctors can try to get rid of the cancer is through a method called Mohs Surgery. If you have not heard of Mohs surgery, here are the basics.
What Is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery was developed by a professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin. He noticed that skin cancer usually will grow from the top down into your skin. So, he decided to use a layer-by-layer technique to remove the cancer. Your surgeon will start by taking a good deal of the cancer out of the area, and then they use a microscope to analyze the tissue. If they have cut all the cancer out, then the surgery is over, but if some cancer remains, then they take another layer. This type of surgery has been extremely beneficial and efficient for most individuals.
How To Prepare
There is no really perfect way to prepare for a surgery. You should, however, a few weeks prior to the surgery, make sure that you stop taking blood thinners. This is an important thing to remember because blood thinners are going to make it hard for the doctor to contain any bleeding that may occur. So, stop taking aspirin because it is a very effective blood thinner. There are also natural blood thinners that you should stop taking; Vitamin E, ginko, garlic, ginseng, glucosamine, and fish oil are all natural blood thinners.
You may also want to remember to go to the store prior to the surgery to have any medication and healing ointments on hand for when you get done with the surgery. It can be a real pain to have to go to the store right after a surgery to pick up medicines. If you find that, after local anesthesia or surgery, you have bad nerves or you are anxious, it may be a good idea to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home.
For more information on skin cancer treatments, contact a dermatologist.
Share10 March 2017
While I wasn't fond the reason I had to visit a dermatologist when I was a teenager (I had severe acne that she helped me manage), I feel lucky to have had the experience of visiting a dermatologist and learning just what they can do to help me have great-looking skin. I wasn't happy when I got my first wrinkle at about 30; my acne had just cleared up, and I wanted to enjoy having skin I finally loved for at least a few years! With a little more help from my dermatologist, I am now in my 50s, and many people think I am much younger than I am due to the amazing anti-aging treatments my dermatologist gives me. I want to teach what I have learned about skincare to others who need the advice, so please come back often for new skincare tips!
