Skin Cancer, Skin Biopsies and Mohs Surgery: Patient Education

Esfandiari, Negar

Item

Skin Cancer, Skin Biopsies and Mohs Surgery: Patient Education

Esfandiari, Negar

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. There are three main types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. While Melanoma is less common than Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma, it has a higher mortality rate. If diagnosed in earlier stages, Melanoma has a significantly better prognosis and lower patient costs. Most skin cancers are diagnosed through skin biopsies. Vermont has one of the highest rates of skin cancer. The goal of this project was to develop a patient handout to bring patient awareness to skin cancer and describe the different types of skin biopsies (shave, punch and excisional), as well as Mohs surgery.