Skin Cancer Screening

[PercyinOz]

Hi...

I am 'high risk' in terms of Skin Cancer and used to do regular screenings when living in Australia.

Been living in Nonthaburi for 6 months and should really start doing them here too, better safe than sorry etc

Can anyone recommend a place that does them?

Thanks in advance.

Percy

[lopburi3]

This would likely be better in the health forum where most medical questions as asked and answered. But be aware there are very few doctors here with much skin cancer experience as it is very uncommon among Thai - so you will likely have to pay for good care from high priced private facilities - and even then be careful to use recommended doctors who actually have some experience.

[h90]

This would likely be better in the health forum where most medical questions as asked and answered. But be aware there are very few doctors here with much skin cancer experience as it is very uncommon among Thai - so you will likely have to pay for good care from high priced private facilities - and even then be careful to use recommended doctors who actually have some experience.

I read a while back that a kind of remote service was planed. Making good photos with the smart phone.

But I only skimmed the article...but still maybe worth to google for it.

[oncearugge]

+1

It is essential to find a Dr familiar with Caucasian skin +problems. Preferably someone who has worked/trained in the West

Someone like this chap

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Jade-Wititsuwannakul

Edited October 27, 2015 by oncearugge

[Sheryl]

The best doctor for this in Thailand is Dr. Anna Jaruwarn at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Many TV members have had complete skin checks from her. While there are other dermatologists here who studied and worked in the West, unless they spent a long time there they will not have had much aggregate experience with skin cancers, and they also will usually not have kept up on it once back in Thailand because it is so rare here.

In addition to training in the US (and being US board certified), Dr Anna worked there for many years and now being based in Pattaya, has a never ending supply of farang patients with skin cancers to keep her skills current.

It's a trip from Nonthaburi of course but I myself am about to drive 3 hours each way to consult her.

[streetlite]

Had mine treated and removed at Bumrungrad.

[JMWPACIFIC]

The best doctor for this in Thailand is Dr. Anna Jaruwarn at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Many TV members have had complete skin checks from her. While there are other dermatologists here who studied and worked in the West, unless they spent a long time there they will not have had much aggregate experience with skin cancers, and they also will usually not have kept up on it once back in Thailand because it is so rare here.

In addition to training in the US (and being US board certified), Dr Anna worked there for many years and now being based in Pattaya, has a never ending supply of farang patients with skin cancers to keep her skills current.

It's a trip from Nonthaburi of course but I myself am about to drive 3 hours each way to consult her.

Totally agree. Been to Dr. Anna who is a pro, down to earth, perfect English, etc.

[Tolley]

Dr Anna is the best.

The only way to tell if something is cancerous is to do a biopsy.

Anything suspicious and someone with a history of skin cancer should always err on the side of safety.

Be aware some very dangerous melanomas appear as red blisters and most people would never believe these are a dangerous cancer.

If they aren't caught early the consequences can be fatal.

[PercyinOz]

Thank you everyone for the advice and recommendation or Dr Anna

[Sheryl]

Just finished my own consultation with her. I consider it well worth the long trip. Didn't even have to ask her for a full skin check - she was already insisting on it. First doctor I have met in Thailand who was so inclined.

I came to her after biopsy done by another doctor - mainly at my insistence as he was 99% sure the new growth I was concerned about was nothing -- showed a BCC and he then wanted to fob me off onto a plastic surgeon to excise it without first investigating the other spots that to me also seem fishy and certainly without doing a full skin check.

Had a nice intelligent discussion with Dr. Anna and we agreed to hold off on treatment until we have a handle on how many BCC I actually have, and to biopsy the 2 bumps that are completely new and to me most suspicious today, with additional biopsies on some longer-standing spots if either of these come back malignant, otherwise not. Makes sense to me.

Nice to find a doctor who is sensitized to, and really interested in, skin cancers and clearly very experienced with them. I find that even Thai doctors trained in the West have trouble not viewing them as something rare.

[hrjay]

That is great information about Dr. Anna that I will save. Thanks to all.

One other option is the Institute of Dermatology near Victory Square. It is a joint Japanese-Thai funded teaching hospital for doctors around Asia who have at least a few years hospital experience in the practice of Dermatology. There is a sign in the lobby stating foreigners pay 500 baht, plus the costs of treatments, which are very small. I've had four cryo-surgeries this year for pre-cancerous skin lesions, usually in and out in about 2 hours despite it being very crowded.

It's really hard to find on the web. Here's the English link:

http://58.137.211.174/inderm_eng/indexeng.php

Otherwise go to www.inderm.co.th and click on the British flag at the top of the page or

google search in Thai for Institute of Dermatology: สถาบันโรคผิวหนัง

Choose prices and service rates under the "Services" menu item.

[Lumbini]

Sheryl , thanks for all the great information on this subject of BCC . I think I speak for all of us here who get so much help from you and want to wish you a quick and thorough resolution to your issues with BCC you speak of here in the above post . I am learning from my own experience with this form of skin cancer how life changing this can be and want you to know my prayers are with you and thanks again for all your help here and with the private replies you spend so much time with as you get back to all of us who send you questions [emoji120]