Bernardo Dermatology Medical Group's Skin Cancer Center, located inside our Poway office at the Pomerado Medical Center, provides comprehensive screening, diagnosis, and treatment of skin cancer for patients across San Diego North County.
Comprehensive Skin Cancer Care
Our providers are proficient in the detection and treatment of skin cancer using a wide range of modalities, including the most advanced surgical techniques. Dr. Ruth A. Larson and Dr. Ashley Rubin are fellowship-trained Mohs skin cancer surgeons and members of the American College of Mohs Surgery, with a combined 40 years of experience and thousands of cases treated.
Dr. Francis A. Barber, a board-certified dermatopathologist trained at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, consults on difficult cases. It takes a team of distinguished, dedicated experts to achieve the best results.
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, and early detection saves lives. We recommend that every adult receive a full-body skin exam at least once a year. Patients with a personal or family history of skin cancer, fair skin, or significant sun exposure should be examined more frequently.
Mohs micrographic surgery has the highest reported cure rate of any skin cancer treatment — up to 99% for primary basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas — and removes the least amount of healthy tissue, making it the preferred option for many skin cancers on the face and other cosmetically sensitive areas. Learn more about Mohs surgery.
Sun Protection & Prevention
Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers. Here is how to be sun smart:
- Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to all exposed skin. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
- Wear protective clothing — long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses — whenever possible.
- Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
- Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand, which reflect the sun's rays.
- Get vitamin D safely through diet and, if needed, supplements — not from the sun or tanning beds.
- Check your skin on your birthday. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding, see a dermatologist.
Schedule a Skin Cancer Screening or Consultation
Call (858) 451-3311 to schedule a skin cancer screening or consultation. For Mohs surgery scheduling, our dedicated Mohs Surgery Coordinator can be reached at (858) 451-3984. We serve patients from Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Scripps Ranch, Escondido, Ramona, and across San Diego North County.