Premier Plastic Surgery Pittsburgh Dermatology Center Can Help Decrease Cases of Melanoma
Melanoma outcomes were the focus in a recent study by a 3rd year medical student, Savina Aneja, B.A.. Aneja presented her discoveries at the 2011 annual meeting of the Society of Dermatology. This study took a look at the correlation between the number of dermatologists in a region of the United States and the mortality rate of patients with this serious type of skin cancer. The east and west coasts of the U.S. have a high number of physicians who specialize in treating skin cancer while the central portion of the country has relatively few. Our Pittsburgh dermatology center can provide you with the skin care attention you need to prevent or treat skin disorders.
According to Ms. Aneja’s study, she found that there was a 35% decrease in mortality in melanoma cases on the coastal regions due to the abundant number of dermatologists practicing there. Having oncology departments at the local hospital was also a contributing factor to successful outcomes. The central portion of the country, which had more family doctors and fewer dermatological specialists, had a much lower survival rate for this type of skin cancer than on the coasts. Having 2 to 4 dermatologists for every 100,000 residents was a predictor of high survival rates while anything less predicted more deaths from the disease.
In summing up her findings, Ms. Aneja proposed that more dermatologists be drawn to these less densely populated central regions by giving them incentives to set up their practices there in order to treat this population. She proposed incentives such as offering help with student loan repayments if the doctor contracted to work there for a specific amount of time and offering dermatology residences in the region, as well. This study was undertaken to find more ways to cure melanoma across the board. It appears it’s not just medical diagnosis and treatment that improves patients’ chances of survival but making sure there are enough dermatologists in all regions to treat them.
When in need of a consultation with a dermatologist, Pittsburgh area residents can call us at 724-264-3608.
