OT: Skin cancer screening

[zk]

Can anybody recommend a dermatologist who gives a thorough skin cancer screening?

I’ve been to probably 6 different dermatologists over the past 15 years. Most of them give a decent-but-not-as-thorough-and-careful-as-I’d-like exam. About 15 years ago, I found Dr. Izuno, who gave an incredibly thorough exam. I felt safe thinking he’d find anything that might come up, and I was very happy to have found him. He retired later that year. I’ve been bouncing around ever since, and haven’t been satisfied.

If anybody knows of a dermatologist who is thorough in this regard, please let me know.

Thank you very much.

[Coronita]

Have your checked with UCSD?

I can ask my oncologist for a referral, but fortunately (knock on wood), I haven’t had to deal with skin related issues yet…

[zk]

Thanks for the offer, flu, I really appreciate that.

I haven’t checked with UCSD; I generally use Scripps. They’re close by and in my ppo. That’s a good idea though. Expand my search a bit. Problem is, I can’t really tell just by looking at their online info. Most of them will have propaganda on there saying how thorough their exams are. But in real life, it generally turns out not so much.

If your doctor knows someone he/she thinks is really good, I’d love to hear it. Thanks.

[Coronita]

[quote=zk]Thanks for the offer, flu, I really appreciate that.

I haven’t checked with UCSD; I generally use Scripps. They’re close by and in my ppo. That’s a good idea though. Expand my search a bit. Problem is, I can’t really tell just by looking at their online info. Most of them will have propaganda on there saying how thorough their exams are. But in real life, it generally turns out not so much.

If your doctor knows someone he/she thinks is really good, I’d love to hear it. Thanks.[/quote]

Zk, PM me about specifically what you’re looking for (condition, location(s) of body where you might be concerned, any additional details of the condition or potential of the condition you might be concerned, and I’ll ask my doctor for a recommendation.

he doctors at UCSD all tend to be patient and take there time, mainly because I think many of them do it for the research/education benefit. The biggest drawback of UCSD is it’s really hard to get an appointment right away, because I guess they see a lot of people.

Your PPO I’m fairly certain will include all the doctors in UCSD, since they pretty much take every insurance (which probably explains why they are busy). Plus it wouldn’t hurt to get a second or third opinion (except maybe you pay for the additional visits)..Then again, if you’re like me, you end up hitting the maximum out of pocket expense every year, so what’s an extra doctor visit or two or three? 🙁

[zk]

Thanks, flu. I have no condition right now (except some actinic keratoses on my forehead that any old dermatologist can take care of). What I’m looking for is a new dermatologist who will give me a careful and thorough skin cancer screening every 6 months.

It’s good to hear that UCSD doctors are patient and take their time. I have no problem waiting for an appointment, as I can schedule my every-6-months exam well in advance.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[FlyerInHi]

I go to UCSD too.
My dermatologist is in the building across from Aventine. He didn’t do any thorough skin cancer exam for me. Just cut out a dark spot that grew. Luckily it’s not cancer.

I examine my own body. I don’t have moles on my body so anything new would be noticeable.

[Coronita]

[quote=zk]Thanks, flu. I have no condition right now (except some actinic keratoses on my forehead that any old dermatologist can take care of). What I’m looking for is a new dermatologist who will give me a careful and thorough skin cancer screening every 6 months.

It’s good to hear that UCSD doctors are patient and take their time. I have no problem waiting for an appointment, as I can schedule my every-6-months exam well in advance.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks[/quote]

Sent you a pm.

[zk]

Thanks, flu. I have an appointment. You called it on the availability. Her next available was October! But that’s fine, that’s when I’m due for my next 6-month check.

I really appreciate the recommendation. Thank you.

[Coronita]

[quote=zk]Thanks, flu. I have an appointment. You called it on the availability. Her next available was October! But that’s fine, that’s when I’m due for my next 6-month check.

I really appreciate the recommendation. Thank you.[/quote]

You are welcome. I think once you get into the system it gets easier to get an appointment. I have never seen this person so let me know how it goes. You’ll need to insist on going through everything. The more paranoid you are, the more thorough they will be.

[zk]

Ok, thanks for the tip. I am paranoid, but I probably haven’t conveyed that to the doctors.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

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