Sylvester’s skin cancer high-risk and prevention clinic provides screening and care planning for people at high risk for skin cancers, such as melanoma.

High-risk individuals, including people with a family history of skin cancer or certain genetic mutations, may benefit from earlier and more frequent skin cancer screening. 

Screening for skin cancer may include diagnostic aids such as mole mapping, dermoscopy, confocal microscopy, skin biopsy, and/or genetic testing.

If you are identified as high risk, our multi-disciplinary care team will work with you to create a plan with preventative and therapeutic interventions. Our goal is to decrease the risk of future cancers or to detect cancers early — when they are more likely to be cured.

Personalized care for people at high-risk for skin cancer

Based on your needs, your care team may include:

• Dermatology specialists, including pigmented lesion clinic and Mohs surgery
• Radiologists
• Pathologists
• Genetic counselors
• Nurse navigators
• Health coach

Your Health Coach provides lifestyle modification advice regarding your diet and nutrition, tobacco cessation, weight management and exercise physiology, all of which can help reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Your skin care team offers expert guidance and services to protect against skin cancers. Together, we will develop a personalized plan for additional testing, screening, or lifestyle modifications to reduce your risk. If needed, we will coordinate genetic testing and high-risk cancer surveillance for you and identify at-risk family members. You will also have access to clinical studies designed to create new methods to prevent skin cancer, improve early detection, diagnose and/or treat skin cancers.

An experienced, dedicated nurse navigator makes sure all your outside records and test results are received, coordinates appointments, and answers your questions. We make the making the process friendlier and less daunting.

We do all of this to help you make informed choices about your health.

Who is considered at high risk for skin cancer?

You’re considered to be at high risk if you have:

• Personal history of skin cancer, fair complexion with red or blond hair, freckles, or skin that burns easily.
• Presence of large number of moles: Having more than 50 – 100 moles, including common / “banal” moles or atypical/dysplastic moles increases your risk for melanoma. Many moles require careful monitoring for any changes.
• Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV rays): Spending a lot of time outdoors without sun protection, having a history of sunburn or regular use of indoor tanning beds raises your risk of developing skin cancer.
• Genetic mutations: Inherited mutations in certain genes, such as CDKN2A and BAP1, are associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
• Family history: People with a family history of melanoma, especially if it involves a first-degree relative, are at increased risk. The risk is higher if multiple relatives are affected or if the cancer occurred at a younger age.
• Large congenital melanocytic nevus
• Other genodermatoses, such as Xeroderma Pigmentosa

If you meet these criteria, your doctor may recommend cancer screenings at a younger age or more frequently (or both).

Let's reduce the risk of skin cancer, and cancer in general, together.

There is no sure way to prevent cancer, but adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors can help reduce cancer risk. In the U.S., 40% of all cancers and 45% of cancer deaths are related to modifiable risk factors like smoking, excess body weight, overexposure to ultraviolet radiation or sunburns, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and/or poor nutrition.

Eating healthy is an important part of improving your health and reducing your cancer risk. Focus on a plant- based diet, highlighting vegetables, fruits, whole grains and avoiding red and processed meats, added sugars and alcohol.

For more information on healthy weight, nutrition, exercise and tobacco cessation, visit the Lifestyle Interventions and Cancer Prevention website.

Our comprehensive skin cancer prevention services ensure people who are at high risk receive screening and support to manage their risks.

The experts at Sylvester specialize in:

Genetic testing and counseling
Genetic testing can tell you whether you've inherited a genetic mutation, which significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer or other type of cancer. Our genetic counselors can help you decide whether testing is right for you. They can also talk to you about your results and your options.

Exercise physiology
According to the American Cancer Society, exercise can help lower your risk of up to 13 different types of cancer, including breast, colon, and endometrial cancer, among others. Regular exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, regulate hormone levels, boost your immune system, reduce swelling, and more. Our exercise experts can design a program to get you moving.

Acupuncture
If you feel anxious or worried about your elevated cancer risk, acupuncture may let you feel more at ease. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine approach that applies extremely thin needles to various points (acupoints) in the body. It's been shown to enhance mental and physical well-being, including improving sleep, and relieving stress and anxiety.

Nutrition counseling
A nutritious diet can help you reduce your cancer risk. Some foods, such as processed foods and red meats, can raise your cancer risk, while other foods, like whole grains, vegetables, and high-fiber foods, can enhance your health. Our registered dietitians offer personalized guidance to eat better, control your weight, and lower your cancer risk.

Risk-reduction surgery referrals
If you're at high risk of developing specific types of cancer for which preventive surgery may be recommended, we're here to help you understand all the risks and benefits. Surgery is a difficult decision; we help you understand genetic testing results and offer emotional support every step of the way. We make sure you know all your preventive options so that you can make an informed choice.

Pharmacologic prevention
This preventive approach uses medicines to lower your skin cancer risk. Your care team will talk to you about the possible side effects and risks of chemoprevention and help you decide if it's right for you.

To schedule an appointment with a health coach specialized in cancer prevention, please call 305-689-RISK (7475).