Patients seek nationally prominent dermatologist for skin cancer treatment

In the United States, every year, nearly five million people are treated for skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The most dangerous type of cancer is melanoma. A slowly growing bump, a mole that changes, or a dry and scaly rough patch may be a sign of skin cancer. This condition can be detected early, improving the cure rate. Dr. Jeanine Downie, the founder of image Dermatology ® P.C., and our team are happy to explain the treatment options so patients in the Glen Ridge area and beyond can make the best decisions regarding their overall health.

The face, neck, ears, back, abdomen, chest, and lower legs are common areas of the body melanoma can develop. A dark spot appearing next to an existing mole; or a mole that changes in color or size is a warning sign of melanoma. This type of skin cancer often looks like moles. Some melanomas develop from moles. Melanomas are typically black or brown.

One patient dies from melanoma every 57 minutes in the United States. Using a tanning bed just once increases the chances of developing skin cancer by over 70 percent. Melanoma is dangerous because it can spread to lymph nodes or other organs. When melanoma is not clearly only in the top layers of skin, our team will send the patient to an oncologist because the lymph nodes may need to be checked. This is an important part of diagnosis and treatment.

Excisional surgery is among the treatments available for skin cancer. We will numb the area with local anesthetic before removing the cancerous lesion. The incision will be closed with sutures and a dressing may be applied after removal.

We will provide post care instructions to ensure optimal healing and recovery. The extent of recovery is largely based on the size and area of growth. Among our post care instructions, we recommend cleaning the area with peroxide and keeping it covered with a prescription antibacterial and a bandage.

Although we provide treatment for skin cancer, we feel strongly about educating patients about risks so they can prevent it. We recommend wearing broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher whenever going outdoors – rain or shine, January to December, regardless of ethnicity. Patients should avoid tanning beds. The ultraviolet rays from tanning beds can not only cause premature aging but also lead to skin cancer.

We recommend patients perform skin examinations once a month. It is also critical to have a full body screen from a board-certified dermatologist or physician’s assistant once a year. If patients see growths such as bumps or pimples that are not healing for over a month or two or moles that are changing in size or shape or becoming painful, they need to bring it to the attention of a board-certified dermatologist. Call our team at (973) 509-6900 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Downie. She will examine your skin thoroughly and review your medical history before providing a diagnosis.

Dr. Jeanine Downie
image Dermatology ® P.C.

Dr. Jeanine Downie is an experienced and popular dermatologist in Montclair. She possesses extensive experience and training in all aspects of dermatology, including cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. Dr. Downie provides modern and cutting-edge dermatology treatments to everyone in your family in a professional, competent and compassionate manner while ensuring that your individual and unique needs are met. Having received rigorous academic training, she completed her residency in Dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and also served as Chief Resident. She continues to upgrade her skills set and share her knowledge through professional affiliations and lecturing assignments on behalf of several renowned medical societies such as The Skin Cancer Foundation and The American Academy of Dermatology, among others. She also frequently interacts with the public through popular television shows such as Good Morning America, The Today Show, and The Dr. Oz Show, to name a few.