Prevention & skin control

Regular skin checks are particularly important for the prevention of skin cancer.

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but not everyone is at the same risk of developing the disease. The risk of developing skin cancer can be influenced by genetic factors as well as by our behaviour or other diseases. The following factors can play a role, for example:

• Many moles, light-coloured skin, freckles
• Sunburns in childhood and adolescence
• Skin cancer in the immediate family (parents or children)
• Occupations/outdoor activities (construction work, sport)
• Medication that suppresses the immune response or HCT

An examination takes around 20 minutes. After a discussion about relevant facts about the skin (sunburns, skin cancer in the family, etc.), all skin changes are checked using a dermatoscope with magnification. Any conspicuous skin changes are photodocumented or immediately biopsied for closer examination in the laboratory.

In the case of early detection of skin cancer, the conspicuous cells are removed directly by our specialist in our in-house operating theatre. Skin cancer precursors (so-called actinic keratoses), which can develop into white skin cancer if not treated, are treated directly on site.

Skin cancer is a disease that occurs very frequently in Switzerland. It is estimated that almost one in five older people are affected. But even at a younger age, areas of skin that are frequently exposed to sunlight (e.g. face, décolleté, forearms or backs of hands) are susceptible to the disease. Switzerland is an international leader in terms of the prevalence of skin cancer.