Mohs Surgery & Skin Cancer Screening in Miami

Mohs Surgery & Skin Cancer Screening in Miami:

What Every South Florida Resident Needs to Know

Miami is one of the most sun-drenched cities in the United States — making it one of the highest-risk cities for skin cancer. Skin cancer affects 1 in 5 Americans over their lifetime. In South Florida, where outdoor living is year-round and UV exposure is extreme even in winter, the risk is significantly elevated. The good news: skin cancer is among the most preventable and treatable cancers when caught early.

At Latitude Dermatology Group, Dr. Arvin S. Jadoo provides comprehensive skin cancer screening, mole evaluation, expert Mohs surgery, and post-treatment care for Miami patients.

Skin Cancer Risk in Miami: The Numbers You Should Know

Miami sits at approximately 25.8° north latitude — comparable in sun intensity to the Sahara Desert. The UV index regularly reaches 10–11+ (very high to extreme) for most of the year. South Florida residents accumulate skin damage faster than people in northern states, making annual skin cancer screenings not optional — but a necessity.

⚠️ Know Your Risk:  Fair skin, light eyes, history of blistering sunburns, 50+ moles, family history of melanoma, and prior skin cancer all elevate risk significantly. Darker skin tones are not immune — melanoma in darker skin is often diagnosed later and carries a worse prognosis because of delayed detection.

The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer — Know What to Look For

Letter	Meaning	What to Watch For
A	Asymmetry	One half of the mole does not match the other
B	Border	Edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred
C	Color	Multiple shades — brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue
D	Diameter	Larger than 6mm (pencil eraser size)
E	Evolution	Any change in size, shape, color, or new symptoms like bleeding or crusting

Any lesion that bleeds spontaneously, does not heal after several weeks, or simply looks unusual should be evaluated by a dermatologist promptly.

Types of Skin Cancer We Treat

Type	Frequency	Appearance	Treatment
BCC	Most common (80%)	Pearly bump, sore that won't heal, pink patch	Mohs surgery, excision, topical therapy
SCC	2nd most common	Scaly red patch, wart-like growth, open sore	Mohs surgery, excision, radiation
Melanoma	Most dangerous — 1%	Irregular mole, unusual pigmentation	Surgical excision + oncology if advanced
Merkel Cell	Rare but aggressive	Flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule	Surgical excision + oncology

What Is Mohs Micrographic Surgery?

Mohs surgery is the gold standard for removing basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — particularly on cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas like the face, ears, nose, lips, hands, and feet.

The surgeon removes thin layers of tissue one at a time, examining each layer under a microscope before proceeding. This continues until the final layer is cancer-free — ensuring complete removal while preserving maximum healthy tissue. Mohs achieves cure rates up to 99% for primary BCC and 97% for primary SCC. Performed in-office under local anesthesia with same-day results.

☀️ Miami Recommendation:  Annual full-body screenings for all adults. Every 6 months for patients with prior skin cancer, many atypical moles, or strong family history. Monthly self-exams at home. Always apply SPF 30+ daily — even on cloudy Miami days.

Skin Cancer Screening at Latitude Dermatology Group

A full-body skin cancer screening is a thorough, head-to-toe examination of all skin surfaces including the scalp, between toes, and genital region. Dermoscopy — a specialized illuminated lens system — examines moles and suspicious lesions in detail, detecting early changes not visible to the naked eye. When a suspicious lesion is identified, a skin biopsy is performed in-office with pathological results typically within 3–5 business days.

📅 Your skin health is too important to delay.

Schedule your skin cancer screening in Miami today.  →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should Miami residents get skin cancer screenings?

Annual full-body screenings for all adults given Miami's extreme UV exposure. High-risk patients should consider every 6 months. Monthly self-exams at home are also important.

Q: What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs micrographic surgery removes cancer layer by layer with microscopic verification of clear margins — achieving the highest cure rates while preserving maximum healthy tissue. Gold standard for BCC and SCC on sensitive areas.

Q: What are the warning signs of skin cancer?

The ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm, Evolution (changes). Any non-healing sore or unusual lesion should be evaluated promptly.

Q: Is Mohs surgery painful?

Performed under local anesthesia — patients are comfortable throughout. Most report minimal discomfort. Soreness during the first few days of healing is normal.

📍 Latitude Dermatology Group — Miami6301 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 200, Miami, FL 33138(305) 751-7771  |  www.miamidermdoctor.comServing Brickell, Wynwood, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Edgewater & all of South Florida.

About the Author: Dr. Arvin S. Jadoo, MD

Board-certified dermatologist at Latitude Dermatology Group, Miami. Specializing in skin cancer screening, Mohs micrographic surgery, mole evaluation, and surgical dermatology.www.miamidermdoctor.com/about-me