By Emily Reynolds, FNP-BC In September 2023, I lost my uncle to skin cancer. My uncle “Scooby” was 80 years old. He had been an outdoorsman, athletic and a lover of all things Colorado since he moved to the Vail Valley in the 1970s. He grew up in upstate New York where he learned to […]
Total Body Skin Exam
The Hidden Risk: How Your Medications Might Increase Your Chance of Skin Cancer
By Ryan Lawrence, MD Did you know that some medications you take could put you at a higher risk of developing skin cancer? It’s important to understand how these medicines, especially immunosuppressants, can affect your skin health. Understanding the Connection Between Medications and Skin Cancer Our immune system plays a crucial role in keeping us […]
Can I Get Melanoma in the Genital Area?
One of the greatest misconceptions about skin cancer is that it only forms in areas of the body that experience sun exposure. While it is more common to see melanoma on the face, neck, arms, legs, and back, the truth is that melanoma can—and will—appear on any part of the body that is covered in […]
Skin Cancer on the Eyelids—Why We See This Form of Skin Cancer So Often
When most of us think about the possibility of developing skin cancer, we most likely envision questionable lesions on parts of our bodies that experience the highest rate of sun exposure: the bridge of our nose, the flesh of our cheeks, the skin of our arms, shoulders, and upper chest. While these areas are certainly […]
The Reflective Truth of Higher Elevation and Skin Cancer in Coloradoans
Even though summer has come to an end and winter is upon us, sunscreen use is just as important. Exposure to the sun during winter months can increase significantly for most Coloradans and put us at an even higher risk for skin cancer, especially for skiers and snowboarders. Colorado is known for its endless outdoor […]
Understanding The Three Major Types of Skin Cancer
Of all the dermatologic concerns facing Vanguard patients, one of the most common—and certainly the most worrisome—is skin cancer. Skin cancer is so common, in fact, that it accounts for more cancer diagnoses in the United States each year than all other forms of cancer combined. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will […]
Should I Be Worried If I’m Diagnosed with an Atypical Mole?
The problem with diagnosing moles and weeding out the potentially harmful from the benign is that moles are incredibly common. In fact, nearly everyone in the United States has at least one common mole, and those who do typically have several. Common moles are harmless and very rarely develop into skin cancers. However, the distinction […]