Where can I find high quality skin cancer treatment?
Hello, friend.
Are you seeking treatment options for skin cancer? Do you want to learn about NCI Designated Cancer Centers for Excellence and how they can benefit you? In this blog post, I'll delve into the world of NCI Designated Cancer Centers and explore what they offer for skin cancer patients.
As you begin your research, I want you to remember that you are not alone in this journey. Along with the millions of Americans diagnosed with cancer every year, and the 20+ million survivors, I’m a fellow survivor dedicated to helping you in any way I can to get the information you need to make informed decisions. Although I haven't had skin cancer, as a two-time survivor of a rare form of ovarian cancer, I’ve done my share of digging (sometimes it feels like I dug the proverbial “hole to China” we joked about as kids) seeking the best professionals to treat my cancer.
Did you know the highest volume of Google searches for cancer treatment are for skin cancer?
That's probably because skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with one in five of us developing it in our lifetime and close to 10,000 newly diagnosed every year.
As a Floridian who has LOVED herself some “Sunshine State” for the majority of her life, I’ve been keenly focused on protecting and caring for my skin, and have had to have pre-cancerous growths removed several times. In fact, my first actual brush with cancer (what I call “Maybe Cancer” in my book, The No Bull**** Guide to Dealing with Cancer) was skin cancer. I had a mole removed and biopsied. It came back with pre-cancerous cells that were a concern. (What I call “Weird Test Result.”)
My dermatologist performed what’s called a “punch biopsy,” which is a lot like it sounds. If you’re not as old as me (Shout out to Gen X, y’all) you may not remember paper hole punches. But if you do, the idea is fairly similar, only instead of making a hole all the way through you, a punch biopsy just scoops a deeper chunk of skin out of you than the original biopsy (like a teeny-tiny shark bite, lol) to make sure that all the pre-cancerous cells are removed. It was a very easy procedure that left me with a small scar. But it was my first “cancer scare” and I remember feeling exactly that… scared. Fortunately, it was handled and didn’t progress. I was lucky that time.
But as I said above, statistics show many of us will develop skin cancer, which means my “cancer scare” experience will be even more common. With so many people seeking information on skin cancer treatment, I thought it important to provide a steer toward the nation's most highly-rated cancer treatment facilities. If you only have pre-cancerous cells, you may only need your dermatologist to remove or kill the cells. But if the cells are truly cancerous (known as “malignant,” pronounced muh-lig-nunt), then you’ll want to consult with cancer doctors, a.k.a. oncologists (on-kah-loh-jists).
Let's discover the centers that provide exceptional care and support, tailored to your specific needs.
What Are NCI Designated Cancer Centers? Can they help me in my Skin Cancer Journey?
Have you heard of NCI Designated Cancer Centers? It’s important to know about these specific health and research facilities. While there are many hospitals offering cancer care in the country, these centers are recognized for excellence and typically combine a focus on scientific research with patient care and treatment. They also are more likely to offer care for rarer or more advanced cancers such as clinical trials.
NCI stands for “National Cancer Institute,” which is a branch of the U.S. federal government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH).
NCI Designation: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) designates select cancer centers as "Comprehensive Cancer Centers" or "Cancer Centers." These centers are recognized for their excellence in cancer research, treatment, and community outreach.
Cutting-Edge Research: NCI Designated Cancer Centers conduct groundbreaking research to advance our understanding of skin cancer, leading to innovative treatment options and improved patient outcomes.
Multidisciplinary Approach: These centers bring together teams of experts from various disciplines, such as medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, dermatology, and pathology. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive and personalized care.
Good questions to ask if you are searching for the best doctors and hospitals for you include:
Does your hospital/cancer center have a focus on my specific type of cancer?
Cancer is *not* universal (often referred to as “a monolith”) by any means. Not only is skin cancer very different from every other type of cancer, the specific type of skin cancer you or your loved one has may be very different from other types of skin cancer. It’s really the specific type of cell, pattern of growth and spread, and current level of spread in your case that will help narrow down the doctors and hospitals you need most.
For example, though I will refer to my ovarian cancer here, the story applies. I have a very rare form of ovarian cancer. Most women who get ovarian cancer get an epithelial type and are close to menopausal or even post-menopausal. I was struck at 32 and learned my type can affect a female of any age from toddler to a senior citizen, though it most commonly appears in those between 30-40. It arises in different cells within the ovary and spreads differently than the “typical” ovarian cancer. That’s a major reason I went to a comprehensive cancer center (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center). What I had was very unusual. Many doctors and hospitals that don’t specialize in rare diseases might not have known how to treat me.
Which NCI Designated Cancer Centers excel in skin cancer treatment? How can I find the best options?
There are 72 of these cancer centers across 36 states and the District of Colombia. To search for cancer centers near you, there is a list on the NCI website. A few of the most well-recognized examples include:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: This world-renowneded center in New York City has a dedicated melanoma and skin cancer program, offering cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials[1].
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Recognized for its exceptional care, MD Anderson provides specialized skin cancer treatment through its Department of Dermatology[2].
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: Situated in Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has a dedicated Melanoma Treatment Center, offering comprehensive care and access to novel therapies[3].
Mayo Clinic: With campuses in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota, Mayo Clinic is recognized for its comprehensive skin cancer program, offering state-of-the-art diagnostics, treatment, and research[4].
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center: Located in Seattle, Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has a dedicated Melanoma Research Program that focuses on innovative treatments and clinical trials for melanoma and other skin cancers[5].
Stanford Cancer Institute: Based in Stanford, California, the Stanford Cancer Institute provides specialized care for skin cancer, including advanced surgical techniques, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies[6].
Moffitt Cancer Center: Situated in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is known for its robust Skin Cancer Program, offering comprehensive care, clinical trials, and advanced treatment options[7].
Remember, there are quite a few other NCI Designated Cancer Centers across the United States, each with its own expertise and resources. It's essential to research and consult with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable center for your specific needs.
What Can NCI Designated Centers Offer Skin Cancer Patients? Can I Expect Comprehensive Care?
Let's explore the comprehensive care that NCI Designated Centers can provide:
Expertise: These centers house highly skilled specialists with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating skin cancer. They stay updated with the latest advancements and treatment options.
Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards: NCI Designated Centers hold regular tumor board meetings where experts from different disciplines collaborate to develop personalized treatment plans for individual patients.
I remember finding out I had a Tumor Board when I was at Memorial Sloan Kettering the first time. It was amazing to think of it. A surgical oncologist, a medical oncologist, a radiology oncologist and more all meeting and reviewing images and data—planning the attack to save little ol’ me. I was so grateful. I was like, “Yes! Go team! Can I grab you some waters? Maybe orange slices? What can I do to help you help me?”
Okay, I’m kidding here, but it felt awesome to have a knowledgeable and dedicated team on my side. Helping them help me turned out to be simple. I had to show up, ask questions, and tell them everything I could as honestly as I could about how I was feeling and what I was experiencing along the way.
Clinical Trials: Many NCI Designated Centers offer access to clinical trials, providing patients with opportunities to explore promising new therapies and contribute to medical research.
Don’t just think of clinical trials as the remedies for those at death’s door or without any other choices. That’s not the only case at all, though that is what most people think. Yes, clinical trials can be an option for those who go through standard protocols and don’t see the effectiveness they’d hoped. But they can also be used to study a whole variety of things, including a comparison between two standard protocols that have already been proven effective. Or the side effects of a new combination of drugs, such as the addition of a new drug to a mix (cocktail) of already proven drugs to see if the new addition increases overall effectiveness. The study may focus on side effects for those with other forms of illness in addition to the cancer. In other words, not all clinical trials deliver new, unproven drugs.
Supportive Services: These centers understand the emotional and psychological impact of skin cancer. They provide support services such as counseling, survivorship programs, and integrative therapies to enhance overall well-being.
The days of “chemo-only” are long gone. Cancer centers provide a wide array of supports to help patients with mental, emotional, spiritual, and even financial help. Don’t hesitate to ask about the programs they have for those fighting active cancer, those in remission, and survivors.
Conclusion
As you navigate your skin cancer journey, consider the exceptional care and resources offered by NCI Designated Cancer Centers. From cutting-edge treatments to a multidisciplinary approach and supportive services, these centers strive to provide you with the best care possible.
Remember, you are not alone in this fight. With roughly 2 million Americans newly diagnosed each year and ten times as many survivors out there, you are WAY not alone. Together, we can face any challenge with courage and resilience.
Sources:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (n.d.). Melanoma. Retrieved from https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/melanoma
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. (n.d.). Skin Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.mdanderson.org/cancer-types/s
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Skin Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20377637
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. (n.d.). Melanoma Research Program. Retrieved from https://www.fredhutch.org/en/research/divisions/clinical-research/melanoma-research-program.html
Stanford Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Skin Cancer. Retrieved from https://cancer.stanford.edu/skin/
Moffitt Cancer Center. (n.d.). Skin Cancer. Retrieved from https://moffitt.org/cancers/skin-cancer/
