Skin Cancer????

[Tom Hannon]

I have a few funky looking moles (hopefully) and am concerned about skin cancer. Can anyone recommend a good doctor to see to have them checked out?

[rhredd1654]

Moffitt Cancer Center had a free screening last week. However, in the fine print I later noticed that you had to register. By the time I called, they were full up. I was told the free screening would be repeated. I saw it in the Village Voice. Seems to me that something as important as this should be offered periodically.

[Villages PL]

I have a few funky looking moles (hopefully) and am concerned about skin cancer. Can anyone recommend a good doctor to see to have them checked out?

You might try an internet search, such as, "What Does Skin Cancer Look Like?" It will explain the difference between an ordinary mole and skin cancer.

I had a strange looking mark on my ancle once and couldn't get a doctor appointment for any sooner than about 6 weeks. This was before I got my Medicare HMO. So I called The Medicine Chest and the Pharmacist told me to come in and he would look at it. When he saw it, he knew right away that it wasn't cancer. He gave me a cream to put on it and it went away in a matter of days.

Having said that, I'm sure you could learn to tell the difference if you try the above search. Once you know, it's really very simple.

[Xavier]

I have a few funky looking moles (hopefully) and am concerned about skin cancer. Can anyone recommend a good doctor to see to have them checked out?

I've been happy with Advanced Dermatology. I go to the office at 1503 Buenos Aires Blvd. Suite 100 in The Villages. They have a couple of offices. I think there is one near Sumter Landing as well. 888 540-9660

Xavier

[2BNTV]

Tom:

You may want to look the doctors in your network and try this link to rate their performance. I did it with my doctors in CT and it was accurate.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/lyle-gant-–-realtor®-helping-customers-become-“villagers”-301/great-website-find-get-info-about-local-doctors-48298/

Obviously, word of mouth is the best recommendation.

I wouldn't wait too long as it's best to know right away.

Wishing you well.

[Challenger]

I have a few funky looking moles (hopefully) and am concerned about skin cancer. Can anyone recommend a good doctor to see to have them checked out?

Go to the Search prompt at the top of the page and enter Dermatologists. I did and after reading them all decided on Dr Tran. Have two lesions on my face and had one removed today. Very professional office and the Doc was very considerate. Seemed highly competent. Guess I'll know for sure in a few years.

[PennBF]

I would recommend Dr. Tran. His offices are onthe property by Laura Manor.
I had a small growth on my arm..Went to an Urgent Care on 446 and they said it was an "infection"..WRONG. Went to Urgent Care in Sumter Landing and as usual they were great. The Dr. took it off, said she would send away for a biopsy and let me know. Came back as basel cell cancer and suggested Dr. Tran. Saw him and he and his staff were great. He is a MOS Dr which is even better. Would highly recommend him and Sumter Landing Urgent Care. :bigbow:

[gatherer47]

Just went today and had three moles removed at Florida Dermatologic Surgery and Aesthetics Inst.easy as pie-got right in-Dr very thorough,pleasant-would recommend-are on Cr 101 in bldg behind CVS

[captain1202]

The comment on Advanced Dermatology. Dr. Bond very thorough with skin inspections. Both my wife and I have had some small cancers removed..no drdam, no complications.

[Quixote]

... decided on Dr Tran. Have two lesions on my face and had one removed today. Very professional office and the Doc was very considerate. Seemed highly competent. Guess I'll know for sure in a few years.

I second Challenger. I've used Village Dermatology (Dr. Tran and his PA, Phil Walker, short for Philomena) for several years. They are indeed highly professional, extraordinarily knowledgeable, and well organized. They are extremely conservative in terms of skin biopsies and surgeries, doing more than my MD up north would do. (I have records sent.) Their explanation is that here we are living in the Florida sun, careful as we may be about it, and it's just as well to err on the cautious side. I agree. And the office in Laurel Manor is convenient as well. Office phone number is 352-751-6565.

I might add that if you want to know whom NOT to go to, please send me a PM. "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!" That is, I went once and never went--or looked--back....

[billethkid]

I have recently changed to Dr. Tran. Had a squamous cell removed from the top of my head.

I have been to many dermatologists during my lifetime...fair skin and seemingly suceptible to skin issues....I had MOHS surgery 10+ years ago.....Dr. Tran is hands down the most proficient skin specialist I have ever been to....he is dedicated to the patient. That is very notable in how the entire staff works...as a team...in the patient's behalf.

Since here in TV I used to go to Suncoast Dermatology in Ocal....very good...but too far away. Then I hooked up with one closer in TV (before Tran)....he missed some major issues that were revealed to me by Dr. Tran....needless to say I no longer go to Dr. 'X'.....who always seems more interested in selling the latest product or process.

I cannot say enough positive about Dr. Tran....extremely competent for his age.

btk

[784caroline]

Whatever you do DONT WAIT..... see a dermatologist. WE used Dr Friedman and he was fairly easy to get into see and took care of the problem. Let me tell you in our situation, we had a VERY small perfectly round black dot where the sun does not shine..and I checked out all of the on-line literature and this did not look like anything. When the Dr checked it out ....he took it out but also said does not appear to be a problem BUT he would send it to Moffit in Tampa. Results came back from Tampa and it was Maligant melamoma ...... Dr calls us back up and we had to have a more extensive procedure to dig it out (fortunately it was pre-stage one...thats how early we got it) and then follow up check ups. 2 years later all looks good!

DONT WAIT !!!!!!!!!!

[MLBellis]

I am a sun queen. I have been in the sun all my life (and still will) I had a spot that I thought it should be looked at.... thank god it was ok, but...... I had three birth marks that I was born with that had to be biopsied... well they turned out to be pre-cancer :( .... I went to see Dr Tran! he is great.... he told me that birth marks are deadly!! I am so glad I went.... Do not wait!! get your body scanned. (they look at your whole body, even under your feet)

[oatmealgirls]

.... Do not wait!! get your body scanned. (they look at your whole body, even under your feet)

MLBellis,
When you say "body scanned," do you mean they visually look?? or do you mean they use a machine, scanning device?? Thanks.

[jane032657]

My husband was at a business meeting last week and one of the participants is a dermatologist who he has known and seen for decades. When my husband told him we were moving to The Villages (well Florida sepcifically) , and knowing my husband is an avid golfer, he said emphatically "YOU WILL GET SKIN CANCER"-use a sun screen rated at 50. My husband came home and ordered a box full of 50 sunscreen on line. It really scared him the way the doctor was so decisive in his expression and words.

[senior citizen]

My husband was at a business meeting last week and one of the participants is a dermatologist who he has known and seen for decades. When my husband told him we were moving to The Villages (well Florida sepcifically) , and knowing my husband is an avid golfer, he said emphatically "YOU WILL GET SKIN CANCER"-use a sun screen rated at 50. My husband came home and ordered a box full of 50 sunscreen on line. It really scared him the way the doctor was so decisive in his expression and words.


Best to be prepared. Good to know.

Get him a nice white hat as well for protecting the top of his head.

Mine was told years ago to always wear sunscreen due to his discoid lupus. However, he never ever will apply it.

He has light green eyes and fair skin that does tan, but obviously, we do not get much sun up here. He was a blonde child.

His eldest sister has had a lot of skin cancers removed and always wears a big straw hat and sunscreen. His other siblings totally avoid the sun due to the family cancer history. The one in Arizona wears long sleeved white blouses if going outdoors.

Your hubby was fortunate to get some free advice from one "in the know".

[IADCathy]

I would recommend Dr. Tran. His offices are onthe property by Laura Manor.
I had a small growth on my arm..Went to an Urgent Care on 446 and they said it was an "infection"..WRONG. Went to Urgent Care in Sumter Landing and as usual they were great. The Dr. took it off, said she would send away for a biopsy and let me know. Came back as basel cell cancer and suggested Dr. Tran. Saw him and he and his staff were great. He is a MOS Dr which is even better. Would highly recommend him and Sumter Landing Urgent Care. :bigbow:

I called Dr Tran's office and was referred to another doctor in the practice, a Dr Laura Mays. I am wondering if I should have insisted on seeing Dr Tran or whether I am still in good hands with another doctor in his practice. Has anyone had any experience with Dr Mays? Any advice would be appreciated.