Health News
This week, we've used the blog to talk about Vitamin D and Protecting Your Skin . Today we tackle skin cancer.
It's beautiful and sunny today in Baltimore, but remember to put on your sunscreen before heading outdoors. About one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, and one in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in his or her lifetime. Some of the risk factors for skin cancer include having a fair complexion (especially with red or blond hair), a blistering sunburn as a child or teenager, exposure to radiation ? including light from tanning beds, and certain medical conditions that weaken the immune system.
In a Lunch and Learn session at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute last week, Sean T. Gunning, M.D., talked about the three forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Basal cell, which is the most common skin cancer, typically affects the head and neck and is primarily caused by sunburn. It can look like a spot that is shiny, with a rolled border that may turn into an ulcer or a red scaly spot. If you have a sore or pimple that doesn?t heal after 4 to 6 weeks, you should see your doctor as it could be basal cell skin cancer.
Squamous cell skin cancer forms after chronic sun exposure. Patients who have received a kidney transplant are especially at risk. This type of skin cancer can metastasize and spread to other parts of the body, making it very dangerous.
Finally, malignant melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, making up only about 5 percent of cases. However, it is the most deadly. People with light complexions, with one or more blistering sunburns before age 18 and a large number of moles are particularly susceptible. Moles should be checked against the ABCDs:
If skin cancer metastasizes (spreads to other organs), it can be life-threatening. Therefore, early detection is important. Skin cancer screenings will be held at Northwest Hospital on June 14 and on June 28 at Sinai Hospital. To sign up for one of these free screenings, call 410-601-9355.
-Holly Hosler
- Many Americans Still Don't Use Sunscreen, Which Has Been Proven To Prevent Skin Cancer, The Most Common Cancer In The U.s.
Sunscreen has been proven to reduce the risk for all types of skin cancer and to prevent or delay signs of aging, but most Americans still don't use it regularly, according to a new study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....
- Slap On Sunscreen, Avoid Uv Rays This Memorial Day Weekend
This Friday has been designated "Don't Fry Day," a reminder to sun worshippers to be mindful of the dangers of skin cancer on Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer recreation season. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention...
- Vitamin D: Should You Soak Up The Sun To Get This Vital Nutrient?
Yesterday we discussed UVA sun rays and the aging effects they cause. Though UVA can also be responsible for skin cancer, UVB is the part of sunlight primarily responsible. (Think UVA, ?A? for ?aging?; UVB, ?B? for ?bad.?) However, UVB light, which is...
- Protecting Your Skin
Dermatologist Sean T. Gunning, M.D., addressed a full house at Wednesday?s Lunch and Learn session at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute. Thanks to the graphic images he shared of skin damage, either aging or skin cancer-related, it?s a safe...
- Save The Wrapping
by Jill R. Adler, M.S. Manager, Community Health Education, LifeBridge Health So what?s the largest organ in the body? If you said skin, you win! The wrapping that covers our internal organs, protects them from injury and also provides a barrier between...
Health News
Skin cancer: Why it?s Important to Catch this Common Disease Early
This week, we've used the blog to talk about Vitamin D and Protecting Your Skin . Today we tackle skin cancer.
It's beautiful and sunny today in Baltimore, but remember to put on your sunscreen before heading outdoors. About one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year, and one in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in his or her lifetime. Some of the risk factors for skin cancer include having a fair complexion (especially with red or blond hair), a blistering sunburn as a child or teenager, exposure to radiation ? including light from tanning beds, and certain medical conditions that weaken the immune system.
In a Lunch and Learn session at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute last week, Sean T. Gunning, M.D., talked about the three forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Basal cell, which is the most common skin cancer, typically affects the head and neck and is primarily caused by sunburn. It can look like a spot that is shiny, with a rolled border that may turn into an ulcer or a red scaly spot. If you have a sore or pimple that doesn?t heal after 4 to 6 weeks, you should see your doctor as it could be basal cell skin cancer.
Squamous cell skin cancer forms after chronic sun exposure. Patients who have received a kidney transplant are especially at risk. This type of skin cancer can metastasize and spread to other parts of the body, making it very dangerous.
Finally, malignant melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer, making up only about 5 percent of cases. However, it is the most deadly. People with light complexions, with one or more blistering sunburns before age 18 and a large number of moles are particularly susceptible. Moles should be checked against the ABCDs:
- Asymmetrical ? Is the mole an odd shape with sides that don?t match the other?
- Border ? Does the mole lack a defined border?
- Color ? Is the color the same throughout the mole, or are there patches of brown, black, white, red or blue?
- Diameter ? Is the mole larger than ¼? in diameter (about the size of a pencil eraser)?
If skin cancer metastasizes (spreads to other organs), it can be life-threatening. Therefore, early detection is important. Skin cancer screenings will be held at Northwest Hospital on June 14 and on June 28 at Sinai Hospital. To sign up for one of these free screenings, call 410-601-9355.
-Holly Hosler
- Many Americans Still Don't Use Sunscreen, Which Has Been Proven To Prevent Skin Cancer, The Most Common Cancer In The U.s.
Sunscreen has been proven to reduce the risk for all types of skin cancer and to prevent or delay signs of aging, but most Americans still don't use it regularly, according to a new study by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....
- Slap On Sunscreen, Avoid Uv Rays This Memorial Day Weekend
This Friday has been designated "Don't Fry Day," a reminder to sun worshippers to be mindful of the dangers of skin cancer on Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer recreation season. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention...
- Vitamin D: Should You Soak Up The Sun To Get This Vital Nutrient?
Yesterday we discussed UVA sun rays and the aging effects they cause. Though UVA can also be responsible for skin cancer, UVB is the part of sunlight primarily responsible. (Think UVA, ?A? for ?aging?; UVB, ?B? for ?bad.?) However, UVB light, which is...
- Protecting Your Skin
Dermatologist Sean T. Gunning, M.D., addressed a full house at Wednesday?s Lunch and Learn session at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute. Thanks to the graphic images he shared of skin damage, either aging or skin cancer-related, it?s a safe...
- Save The Wrapping
by Jill R. Adler, M.S. Manager, Community Health Education, LifeBridge Health So what?s the largest organ in the body? If you said skin, you win! The wrapping that covers our internal organs, protects them from injury and also provides a barrier between...