Publications

Cutaneous melanoma is the seventh most common cancer in Canada, accounting for 80% of skin cancer deaths annually. Although survival has improved with modern systemic therapies, incidence continues to rise worldwide, with ultraviolet (UV) radiation recognized as the primary environmental risk factor. Artificial UV exposure from indoor tanning (IT) has been associated with increased melanoma risk, particularly when initiated at younger ages.

Patient anxiety can complicate surgical outcomes by elevating blood pressure, increasing the need for postoperative pain management, and reducing overall patient satisfaction. Despite the use of anxiolytic medications in outpatient procedures, there is limited comparative evidence on the efficacy and safety of these agents in Mohs micrographic surgery.

COVID-19 continues to affect the delivery of healthcare services, as practices across North America gradually re-open with new safety measures and practice guidelines. Specifically in dermatology, clinical care is delivered in close physician-patient proximity through physical examination and the use of additional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. We designed a 10-question survey to better understand how COVID-19 has impacted the delivery of care in North American dermatology practices.

There is limited information on how indoor tanning promotes melanoma development. We investigated indoor tanning use in patients with melanomas in sun-exposed skin and studied the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics in relation to indoor tanning exposure. Patients from a multidisciplinary clinic for cutaneous cancers completed standardized questionnaires on risk factors for melanoma as a component of medical history at their initial consultations.