Be sure to look for danger signs in pigmented lesions of the skin.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. And over 40,000 of those people will be diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin care.

Early detection is critical.

Fortunately, with early detection, most melanomas can be treated successfully. In fact, if caught early, melanoma is one of the most curable types of cancer. But if a malignant lesion is missed in the early stages, melanomas are among the most difficult cancers to treat - and the most fatal.

Figures from the National Cancer Institute demonstrate the importance of early detection: the five-year survival rate for people with localized melanoma which was diagnosed in the early stages is 93.8%; with regional spread, the rate drops to 59.8%; and distant metastasis brings the five-year survival rate down to 15.9%.

Early detection is what melanomography is all about.

Finally, a convenient and painless process to detect melanoma of the skin, called melanomography, has been developed by Skin Imaging Centers of America`.' This revolutionary process uses a digital microscope to give doctors a close-up view of the sub-surface layers of the skin. The microscope provides a magnified digital image, a melanomagram, that allows for a simple, quick diagnosis.

Melanomography is painless.

Melanomography is as painless as having your picture taken - because that's exactly what it is. Our Digital Epiluminescence Microscopy equipment simply records a digital image of your skin. Unlike traditional biopsy or excision of suspicious skin lesions, melanomography does not involve any cutting - so there's no pain and no scarring.

Melanomography allows the patient to participate.

Patients can observe the melanomography procedure on the same color monitor used to diagnose the suspicious skin site. This allows direct interaction between doctor and patient. The doctor can explain what is seen, and the patient can ask questions as they arise. In most cases, a diagnosis can be rendered on the spot.

Melanomography - a wonderful diagnostic tool.

Melanomography is a diagnostic process, not a curative one. So if it is determined that a mole or lesion is malignant, excision or other forms of treatment will be required.

Melanomography is completely safe and simple.

The exam involves placement of a digital microscope on the pigmented skin lesions or moles that require analysis. The microscope uses directed light to illuminate the examination area, which is further magnified by the microscope. No preparation whatsoever is required on the patient's part. No radiation is used. Melanomography is completely safe for people of all ages, for pregnant women -for everyone.

Make melanomography a regular part of your health care regimen.

Every year, you're bombarded with the ultraviolet radiation that can cause skin cancer. That's why having a melanomagram regularly can be a prudent course of action - especially if you have a family history of melanoma or are in a high-risk group. And since all patient melanomagrams are stored, melanomagrams can be easily compared from exam to exam - to track changes in pigmented skin lesions and moles. We don't mean to make a mountain out of every mole - most are harmless. But melanomography can let you know exactly what you're dealing with. If you're worried about an unusual mole or spot, it's the painless and easy way to gain a little peace of mind. Skin Imaging Centers of America is joining the fight against malignant melanoma. If you have any questions about melanomography or would like to schedule an appointment, please give us a call.