Think Skin Cancer is Rare? Think Again!

On May 14th, I participated in a free skin cancer screening at St. Francis Hospital. The participating physicians and I saw 171 people.

Out of those screened, 31 people had some form of skin cancer, either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Fifty-six others had actinic keratosis, a precancerous growth.

Twenty-four participants had atypical moles. Doctors also found possible melanoma on two people and suggested biopsies for another 53 participants.

And that was just in three hours!

Though skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer, it is also the easiest to prevent. Using sunscreen, reducing sun exposure, and getting regular check-ups are a few easy ways to lower your risk.

Remember, the earlier you detect skin cancer, the easier it is to treat.

As skin cancer awareness month comes to a close, don’t forget about the risks. Talk to your dermatologist about a skin cancer examination today!

Save Our Skin!

Did you know that more people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year than all other types of cancer combined? The truly disturbing fact is that skin cancer is the most preventable type of cancer.

Through education, early detection and protection, the number of skin cancer diagnoses in the future can diminish drastically. In fact, 99% of people today survive skin cancer with early detection.

The sun does not discriminate, nor are you only at risk when you have a bathing suit on. We commonly make the mistake of only applying sunscreen when we go to the beach or pool and wear a swimsuit, but no matter the color of your skin or where you are, you are at risk for sun damage.

I strongly encourage my patients to apply sunscreen as part of their morning routine. The product line I stand behind and offer at my office is Anthelios. A product of La Roche-Posay, Anthelios has an advanced formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays while still feeling light and non-greasy on your skin.

La Roche-Posay and Anthelios didn’t stop at making trusted sunscreens. They also started a campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of being unprotected in the sun. Save our Skin, or SOS, is making strides to educate people, young and old, about skin cancer and how to lower your risk.

Join the cause by signing up and La Roche-Posay will donate to organizations such as The Skin Cancer Foundation. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll receive a gift certificate for Anthelios products just for signing up.

To learn more about SOS and to join the cause, visit www.sossaveourskin.com.
Call (864) 242-5872 to make your appointment today for a full body examination or to speak with me about Anthelios.

The ABCs of Melanoma

Since the beginning of this year, Greenville Dermatology has diagnosed over 550 new cases of skin cancer, including one patient under the age of 30. Furthermore, 20 of those cases were classified as melanoma, the least common but most dangerous form of skin cancer. The best preventative for skin cancer is protecting yourself from the sun and avoiding tanning beds. In addition to visiting your dermatologist once a year for a full body exam if you are at normal risk, you should also perform regular self checks to look for lumps, discolorations, and changes in moles. The easiest way to determine if you may have skin cancer is as easy as your ABCs.

• Asymmetrical skin lesion
• Border of the lesion is irregular
• Color: multiple colors or changing color in a mole
• Diameter: moles greater than 6 mm are more likely to be melanomas than smaller moles
• Enlarging: enlarging or evolving

Make an appointment at Greenville Dermatology today for your skin cancer screening. Early detection is key for prevention!