First-of-Its-Kind Skin Cancer Screening Clinic Opens at University of California, San Diego

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of California, San Diego (UCSD), has announced the opening of the first clinic in the San Diego region dedicated to mapping and monitoring pre-cancerous moles.  The mission of UCSD's Pigmented Lesion and Skin Cancer Clinic, under the direction Richard L. Gallo, MD, PhD, Chief, Division of Dermatology, is to provide a high level of specialized care for patients with melanoma or those with the potential for developing melanoma.

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SkinMedica has provided a $100,000 philanthropic donation to help launch the clinic and is committing a $1 donation from the sale of every SkinMedica sunscreen product sold globally to fund skin cancer research and detection.  

"There is a great need for this service in San Diego and we are happy to bring this long-awaited project to our community," said Gallo.  "Melanoma, when caught early, is 90 percent curable.  Dermatology is at the front line of this battle. It is our responsibility to diagnose early."    

"Richard Gallo is a scientist and physician who combines state-of-the-art investigation and dedication to his specialty with outstanding patient care.  He has given us so many 'firsts' in skin biology, and now the first pigmented lesion screening clinic here in San Diego," said Mary Fisher, President and CEO, SkinMedica.  "Photo damage from sun exposure is not just about aging and appearance, which is at the heart of our work at SkinMedica, but about cancer risk.  We are honored to join Dr. Gallo and the team at UCSD in bringing this life-saving resource forward."

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers and accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States according to the American Cancer Society. More than 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are found in this country each year. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer in the US and the world and the number of cases continue to rise due in large part to unprotected exposure to the harmful rays of the sun. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is the most common form of cancer in young adults (25-29) and the second most common form in adolescents and young adults (15-29) according to the American Melanoma Foundation.

About UC San Diego Health Sciences

UC San Diego Health Sciences is recognized internationally for excellence and innovation and its proven track record in scientific breakthroughs. Health Sciences encompasses the School of Medicine, the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the UC San Diego Medical Group and UC San Diego Medical Center – the system of patient services provided at Hillcrest Medical Center, Thornton Hospital, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Center and other primary and specialty practices located throughout San Diego. Health Sciences is known for the creation of world-renowned biomedical research programs and for having physicians and scientists working together, across disciplines, to provide leadership in improving health through research, education and patient care.

About SkinMedica

SkinMedica, Inc. is focused on developing, acquiring and commercializing products that treat dermatologic conditions and improve the appearance of skin. We market and sell to physicians, with a focus on aesthetics, both prescription and non-prescription skin care products.

The company's full line of aesthetic skin care products includes the revolutionary TNS Essential Serum™ and hallmark TNS Recovery Complex®. The formulations in our clinical skin care collection enhance skin appearance, reduce signs of aging and provide other skin care benefits.

SkinMedica's prescription products include VANIQA® (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, 13.9%, the only FDA-approved prescription product for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women and EpiQuin® Micro Cream (4% hydroquinone) for hyperpigmentation, or "brown spots" that commonly result from aging, inflammation or sun exposure.

SkinMedica is based in Carlsbad, California. For more information, visit: www.skinmedica.com.

TNS Recovery Complex®, VANIQA®, EpiQuin® Micro, and SkinMedica®, are registered trademarks of SkinMedica, Inc and affiliates.

SOURCE SkinMedica, Inc.