Skin Cancer

There's always time to check for skin cancer.

Each year, more than 1 million Americans (1 in 5) are diagnosed with skin cancer, making it the most common form of cancer. The bright side is that skin cancer has a >99% cure rate if detected and treated early. Community joins the fight against skin cancer year round. Our skin cancer experts make it easier to spot and treat skin cancer early for the best chance of cure.

If you're worried or just curious about a mole or skin spot, call 800-777-7775 to make an appointment with a Community dermatologist for a skin cancer screening today!

Our Skin Cancer Care program offers treatment and therapy to patients with all types and stages of skin cancer, including rare types of skin cancer, such as Merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous sarcomas. We provide specialized expertise for patients with complex or advanced malignancy, and patients with recurrent or extensive tumors. The program offers advanced care for patients who require surgical management such as reconstruction. Multidisciplinary care is coordinated, including complete diagnostic, radiological and post-treatment follow-up. For more information, call 317-621-9470.

Community Health Network MD Anderson Cancer Center has partnered with Jeff Wagner, MD, an internationally recognized physician and researcher in the areas of melanoma, skin cancer and reconstructive surgery. A comprehensive program has been developed to streamline the multidisciplinary care necessary for patients with complex and advanced cutaneous malignancies and cutaneous tumors.

Explore Skin Cancer

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Types of Skin Cancer

Three main types of skin cancer account for nearly 100% of all cases: Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Explore Skin Cancers
Checking skin
Know Your Skin

Check your skin monthly and keep a record of your moles and spots so you know when to see a doctor.

Skin Self-Exam Guide
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Stay Safe in the Sun

Whether you're at the beach or a sporting event, or gardening, you can protect your skin from sun exposure with a few easy tips. 

Skin Protection Tips
About the Program

Easy for patients and physicians

A single phone number and care coordinator serve as the main program contact and case management resource for patients and physicians. The program coordinator takes physician referrals, coordinates with primary care physicians, triages patients for appropriate care, and coordinates the multidisciplinary skin cancer team. A key goal of the program is to schedule patients for appropriate specialty consultation within one week following initial referral. For referrals, call 317-621-9470.

Access to expertise

For referring physicians, Community's Skin Cancer Care program offers a one-stop access point to a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Referring physician preferences for patient follow-up, testing and diagnostic services are respected.

A range of advanced, state-of-the art treatments

The Skin Cancer Care program focuses on providing the appropriate patient care as a result of specific referral needs. Such needs may involve surgical or dermatological care, or the patient may need more comprehensive care management for complex cases. The program identifies specialty resources—not just within the Community cancer care network, but also throughout Indiana—that may have a particular expertise for a given disease and diagnosis. Advanced care is available for patients that require surgical management, such as reconstruction.

Getting patients back to what’s important to them as quickly as possible

All resources and specialty care recommendations are discussed and coordinated with the referring physician, as desired. To the extent possible, required treatment and therapies are provided on a patient's first visit. Interim and continuing care are provided as necessary. As much care as possible is provided in the patient's home community.

Communication coordination

In addition to traditional means of communication and care coordination, the Skin Cancer Care program uses e-mail communication and telemedicine applications when appropriate. The program strives for timely communication and follow-up.

Program goals

  • Superior patient outcomes
  • Superior patient management and coordination
  • More effective multidisciplinary care and team approach
  • More efficient care, with a focus on patient and referral source convenience
  • Patient and referring physician communication that exceeds expectations
  • Utilization and coordination of local, home community healthcare services as available
About Dr. Wagner

Jeffrey Wagner, MD, plastic surgeon and skin cancer doctorDr. Wagner is the medical director of the Skin Cancer Care program and its multidisciplinary team. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Board of Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology.

Dr. Wagner is a frequent educator, speaker and author; he has been identified as one of America’s Top Doctors. He is an internationally recognized expert and researcher in cutaneous oncology, melanoma, and reconstructive techniques and outcomes.

For more information or referrals, call 317-621-9470.

2019 Skin Cancer Screening Results

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is highly preventable. Melanoma is one type of skin cancer, which can spread to other organs. The incidence of melanoma in Indiana is approximately an average of 1237 diagnosed cases annually. In Marion County the average is approximately 120 diagnosed cases annually. In May 2019, Community Cancer Centers East, North and South took part in offering free skin cancer screenings to the public. The screening was done at the Cancer Center East, North and South with dermatologists certified by the American Academy of Dermatology. Dawes Fretzin Dermatology and Greenwood Dermatology participated. A total of 169 participants were screened. The dermatologists recommended follow-up on 31 participants; 13 patients were recommended for biopsy. All participants were called by Community Cancer Care staff to make sure follow-up care was received.

If you would like to be screened for skin cancer, please call 800-777-7775 to see one of Community's dermatologists.