Early Detection Saves Lives

One of the most common sites of cancerous tumors is the skin. Learn your ABCDEs to find out how to identify an area of concern and when to schedule a screening with your doctor.

Asymmetry – Does it look different on one side or the other?

Border – Does it have a jagged border?

Color – Does it have a lot of variation in color?

Diameter – Is it bigger than the size of a pencil eraser?

Evolution – How does the lesion change over time?

If you have a spot that is getting larger over time, get it checked. If you have a lesion that won’t heal over a three-month period, get it checked.

  • Bob's Story
  • A-B-C-D-E of Skin Cancer

Why Choose Mosaic Life Care?

Individual Treatment Plans

Mosaic Life Care caregivers will work with you to develop a treatment plan unique to you and your individual needs. A typical skin cancer treatment path looks like this:

    • Detection/suspicion
    • Primary care doctor visit – Your doctor may refer you to a specialist for a biopsy.
    • Second opinion – This may not be necessary, because a skin biopsy is definitive and non-invasive.
    • Cancer Care consultation – You will speak with a cancer care specialist to determine your treatment options.
    • Treatment

Mosaic Life Care Offers Superior Technology

We offer a full range of skin cancer treatments with state-of-the-art cancer-fighting technology. Each treatment plan is tailored to the patient by a radiation oncologist and team of caregivers who specialize in cancer treatment.

    • High-Dose Radiation

This is a new treatment that minimizes side effects of other, more invasive treatment options. In any case where surgery could leave a deformity or scarring, radiation therapy can often salvage those structures and prevent deformity while effectively treating the lesion. High-dose radiation only requires 1–4 treatments versus traditional, lower-dose radiation options offered elsewhere that can take up to a month to complete. Our radiation oncologists will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan and always have a physicist on-site to monitor radiation treatment and equipment.

Mosaic Life Care is QOPI (Quality Oncology Practice Initiative) Certified

The QOPI® Certification Program (QCP™), an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), was launched in 2010 to recognize medical oncology and hematology/oncology practices committed to delivering the highest quality of cancer care.

Melanoma Should Be Treated in a Cancer Center

Mosaic Life Care believes in treating cancer with the absolute best cancer-fighting technology. Our oncologists will help you understand all treatment options and ensure your care plan includes the safest, most precise methods available. If left untreated, melanoma can become a systemic disease, meaning it can affect the entire body. Stage 4 melanoma is extremely aggressive and can have very poor survival rates. By monitoring the radiation dosage, along with your progress, our expert team of cancer specialists will be by your side to help you achieve the best outcomes possible.

Prevention is Key

You can prevent skin cancer by:

  • Limiting sun exposure, especially during the middle of the day
  • Avoiding tanning beds
  • Wearing at least an SPF 15 sunscreen year round
  • Wearing protective clothing
  • Being aware of sun-sensitizing medications
  • Checking your skin monthly using the above ABCDE checklist

Dangers and Myths of Sun Exposure

There are many dangers and permanent effects of long-term sun damage:

  • Skin cancer
  • Wrinkles
  • Age spots
  • Vision damage
  • Painful sunburns
  • Younger skin is more sensitive, so prevention is especially crucial for children
  • One bad sunburn can significantly increase the risk of skin cancers

Don’t be fooled by these myths about sun exposure:

  • A little sun won’t hurt. Any amount of unprotected sun exposure can cause damage.
  • I don’t burn. Just because you don’t burn often, doesn’t mean you’re not at risk for skin cancer or other long-term effects of sun exposure.
  • I’m dark skinned, so I don’t have anything to worry about. Any amount of unprotected sun exposure can cause damage — regardless of your skin tone.
  • Tanning beds are safer now than they were 10–20 years ago. Tanning beds are still extremely harmful.
  • Tanning beds provide a safe “base tan” and a safe way to get more vitamin D to help with seasonal affective disorder. Tanning beds are not harmless, and there are other, safer ways to get more vitamin D. Speak to your doctor about safe ways to treat seasonal affective disorder. 

If Skin Cancer Goes Untreated

If you develop melanoma and do not treat it right away, it could become a systemic disease, meaning it can affect the entire body. Stage 4 melanoma is extremely aggressive and can have very poor survival outcomes. 

Schedule a Screening Today

Contact your doctor to see if a screening is right for you.

Contact Us

If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer, contact us at (816) 271-1301 to schedule an appointment in any of our four locations.