Skin Cancer Awareness – Why is it so important for you and your family.

Bend Dermatology Clinic’s Board-Certified Dermatologists, Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeons, and Advanced Practitioners see and treat patients for all skin, hair, and nail concerns here in Bend, Redmond, and Klamath Falls. Skin cancer detection and treatment is just one of the many things they dedicate themselves to – along with raising awareness around skin cancer prevention. While skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, it’s also the most preventable. Which is why we’re dedicated to raising awareness about skin cancer. 

Did you know that two people die every hour of skin cancer, but when detected early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99%? These statistics don’t have to cause anxiety, but rather galvanize us to learn more about skin cancer and how to help prevent it, and the importance of both self-skin exams and Dermatologist full skin exams. Our very own, Lexie Staub PA-C is dedicated to empowering her patients and the public at large with a better understanding of skin cancer. This Skin Cancer Awareness Month Lexie spent time with the KLAD Wake-Up Crew in Klamath Falls chatting with them about skin cancer. This is the second of her four interviews.


KLAD: Rodney Atkins 92.5 KLAD with the KLAD Wake-Up Crew at Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. Today in the basin it’s supposed to be mostly cloudy. We’ll see if our weather gets there or not. Details on that in just a little bit. Lexie Staub is joining us, who is with Bend Dermatology Clinic. Good morning!

Lexie: Good morning!


K: So, we are talking about skin cancer. It’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month. 

L: Yes


K: How is skin cancer diagnosed? 

L: Skin cancer is usually pretty apparent just by looking at the skin. And doing a head-to-toe skin check with your Dermatologist is a great idea, but to definitively diagnose skin cancer we would do a biopsy of the skin. Which we can just do that in office. We usually do it at the time of your appointment.


K: So is – I mean, when you look at something, you can say, oh yeah that’s skin cancer, or is it more like, well… that might be, and then…

L: It depends on the type. Oftentimes it’s pretty apparent to someone that’s been practicing Dermatology for quite a while. But even if we’re not quite sure, it’s a good idea to just get a biopsy done and find out for sure.


K: Okay, and early diagnosis, I’m assuming is important. 

L: Yes, early diagnosis is key with all types of skin cancer. Usually, if we catch it early, it’s still small. It’s just contained right there where it’s at in the skin. But if a skin cancer is diagnosed late then it could possibly have already spread to other parts of the body. So, diagnosing it early is key for treatment.


K: Okay, it’s still treatable, though, right? 

L: Skin cancer is often treatable. We have a lot of different ways we treat it, depending on the type, the location, the size. Oftentimes we can do a small surgery to remove it, or sometimes other medications or even chemotherapy is necessary.


K: Okay, so there’s got to be ways to prevent it. 

L: Yes, there are lots of ways to prevent skin cancer. So first of all, being very diligent about your sun protection, covering up when you’re out there with hats, long sleeves, sunglasses, and of course sunscreen that’s at least an SPF of 30. Reapply your sunscreen every couple few hours when you’re out there. That’s always the hard part to remember, but just doing your best to be diligent about sun protection.


K: So, what happens if you, you know, you’re in some situation, you forget about sunscreen, you get burned. Then what? 

L: Well, it’s okay. You just try to do better next time. But keeping an eye on those areas where you’ve experienced bad burns in the past is also key because they’ve gotten a lot of damage and they’re a little more prone to developing skin cancer.


K: Is there something that you can do? You know – I don’t know – put lotion on it? Aloe Vera? 

L: Yeah, you just kind of have got to wait it out and wait for your body to heal it on its own. Different lotions, aloe vera, can be soothing, but usually, after a few days, it’s pretty well gone.


K: Alright, well, we’ll find out a little bit more about it. And if you do need to see a Dermatologist, think of Bend Dermatology. Thanks for joining us, Lexie.

L: Thank you! Thanks for having me.


K: Yup! Lexie Staub this morning, the KLAD Wake-Up Crew. We are at Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram on KLAD.



About Bend Dermatology Clinic & Lexie Staub, PA-C

With four locations in Central Oregon and one in the Klamath Basin, Bend Dermatology is dedicated to the care of our patients. We specialize in Medical Dermatology, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, and Cosmetic Dermatology. With a full host of accomplished Dermatology Providers, we strive to deliver best-in-class patient care to our local communities.

Lexie Staub, PA-C is one of our team members at our Klamath Falls location, located on Main Street, just off Crater Lake Parkway. Book your appointment with her here, and get to know her through our #MeetBendDerm series on Facebook and Instagram.