Skin cancer advocates stress importance of early detection, prevention [Video]

WESTLAKE, Ohio — Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It is also one of the most preventable. However, most skin cancer cases go undetected until it’s too late.

Good Morning Cleveland anchor Tiffany Tarpley spoke to a local dermatologist and skin cancer survivor about the importance of regular skin cancer screenings.

Brook Park resident Mary Conley visited her dermatologist last June for a regular checkup. During the appointment, her doctor noticed something abnormal.

“She examined me, looked through everything over when she went up to my face and she said I’m not real happy with this,” said Conley.

Conley’s dermatologist did a biopsy on the side of her nose. A few days later, Conley was diagnosed with basal cell cancer.

She was referred to Dr. Mihir Shah, a dermatologist and reconstructive surgeon in Westlake, for Mohs surgery.

“Mohs surgery is basically where we …