Dermatologist Dr. Geronimo Jones examining a patient with the new Dermatoscope equipment, capable of detecting early signs of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Dick Schoonover of Charter Ports handing over the equipment to Dr. Jones.

Schoonover said the money was raised a couple of years ago by selling t-shirts for a cancer awareness walk which didn’t get off because of rain. However, enough was raised to purchase the over $1,100 piece of equipment.

The company, which operates out of Village Cay, has been around for over eight years and said it continues to give donations in the community in any area it can be of help.

Dr. Jones, took the opportunity to thank Mr. Schoonover and noted that it is an upgrade from an older version that he was using for years.

The dermatologist disclosed that the equipment is capable of picking up the early signs of melanoma. He said over the last several years, he has been able to detect some 30 cases of melanoma in the Virgin Islands.

The Dermatoscope is capable of picking up early signs of melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

“We are beginning to move away from clinicopathologic diagnosis into an era of clinicoimaging diagnosis. This vision became a fact, as the dermatoscope represents nowadays the dermatologist stethoscope. This is not only because dermoscopy reveals a new and fascinating morphologic dimension of pigmented and nonpigmented skin tumors, but also because it improves the recognition of a growing number of skin symptoms in general dermatology,” he stated.

He said Melanoma detection remains the most important indication of dermoscopy and in melanoma screening the aim of dermoscopy is to maximize early detection while minimizing the unnecessary excision of benign skin tumors.

The dermatologist said much of the risk for skin cancer is genetic. “If you have a history of skin cancer in your family, blond or red hair, blue or green eyes, and/or a lot of moles, you are at higher risk. Your personal history also tells a tale: If you spent a lot of unprotected time in the sun as an adolescent, have had severe (blistering) sunburns, or have had any form of skin cancer or pre-cancerous growths in the past, you can consider yourself more likely to develop skin cancer.”