Dr. Gerald Bock, a Board-certified dermatologist, is highly-respected for many reasons. He has been improving the lives of patients for more than four decades, with general and cosmetic dermatology procedures. He has invested in the most advanced technologies and training to provide safe and effective treatments at his practice, California Skin & Laser Center, in Stockton, Lodi, and Elk Grove, CA. Adding to his expertise, Dr. Bock is an experienced Mohs micrographic surgeon. Therefore, Dr. Bock has the required training to perform the most advanced and precise surgical procedure for removing skin cancer. During his Mohs residency, Dr. Bock trained with Dr. Frederic Mohs, who developed this surgical technique.
Dr. Bock and our team are advocates of patient education. We believe it is important to understand skin cancer, be able to identify its signs, know how to prevent it, and be aware of treatments available. The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells is skin cancer. This leads the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. Causes of skin cancer include excessive sun exposure and tanning beds.
The types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. A skin growth that increases in size and commonly appears black, brown, tan, translucent, pearly, or multicolored is a sign of basal cell carcinoma. An open sore that does not heal within three weeks or a thick, scaly patch is a sign of squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. A sign of melanoma is a mole, beauty mark, birth mark, or any brown spot that changes in texture, color, size, thickness, or symmetry.
There are several ways to reduce risk of skin cancer including:
- Avoiding tanning beds.
- Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, rain or shine.
- Examining your skin from head to toe, monthly.
- Visiting Dr. Bock for an annual skin cancer screening.
If diagnosed with skin cancer, rest assured there is treatment available. Mohs micrographic surgery is ideal for recurrence after other treatments have failed. It results in more favorable cosmetic outcomes. An important benefit of treatment is that healthy tissue remains intact and unharmed. To learn more about skin cancer and treatments available, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bock by calling 209-751-4292.
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