Greenville Dermatology Supports ‘Don’t Fry Day’ to Prepare Families for Summer

Last Friday, Greenville Dermatology hosted our first ever ”Don’t Fry Day” event to encourage sun safety and raise awareness of skin cancer in support of the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention. It was a huge success!

We handed out 1,000 free bottles of sunscreen and T-shirts at high-traffic pedestrian and shopping areas as everyone was heading outside to kick off the Memorial Day holiday. We also shared tips for keeping skin safe during the hot summer months.

Some of the important tips we shared for staying safe in the sun include:

·         Applying sunscreen generously and often

·         Wearing sun protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses

·         Seeking shade as often as possible

In addition to these preventive measures, it is also important to schedule regular skin screenings. In fact, 99 percent of skin cancers are curable if caught early, and skin screenings play a large role in detecting skin cancer in the early, treatable stages. Exams are painless, only take 15 minutes and could save your life.

While skin cancer affects people of all races and skin types, those with lighter skin or who burn easily are at a higher risk of developing this deadly disease over time. You should have regular skin screenings if:

·         You have an immediate family member who has had melanoma

·         You have had even one case of severe sunburn, especially if you are fair skinned

·         You are age 40 or older, especially if you have fair skin and if you have had prolonged exposure to the sun

Click here to learn more about detecting skin cancer.

Stop by Greenville Dermatology for a skin screening and to stock up on sunscreen before you head outside this summer. Contact our office at (864) 242-5872 to schedule an appointment. 

Greenville Dermatology Promotes National 'Don't Fry Day' for Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in more than two million people are diagnosed annually. That means one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.

However, skin cancer is also 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 percent of skin cancers are curable if caught in early stages.

Being able to identify the warning signs of skin cancer will help increase your chances of surviving. The American Cancer Society has created an easy way to identify your risk of developing skin cancer. It’s as easy as remembering your ABCDE’s.

Asymmetry

Be on the lookout for moles or birthmarks that are not symmetrical. The best way to determine this is to draw an imaginary line down the middle of the mole. If one half of the mole does not match the other, it is asymmetrical and could potentially be a sign of melanoma – the deadliest type of skin cancer.

Border

If the edges of a mole are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred, it could be an early sign of developing melanoma. Non-cancerous moles tend to have more smooth, rounded borders. 

Color

Keep an eye on the color of your moles. If a mole displays various shades of brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue, it could be a sign of melanoma.

Diameter

Most non-cancerous moles are fairly small and harmless. However, if your mole is larger than six millimeters across (or the size of a pencil eraser), it is a good idea to get it checked by your dermatologist.

Evolving

If your mole has changed in size, shape, or color, it could be an indication that melanoma has started to develop and you should schedule an appointment with your dermatologist immediately.  

In addition to remembering your ABCDE’s, it is important to schedule annual skin cancer screenings with your dermatologist and keep your skin protected from the sun.

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention recently declared Friday, May 23 – the Friday before Memorial Day – as “Don’t Fry Day” to encourage sun safety awareness and prevent the development of skin cancer.

Greenville Dermatology will be hitting the streets on Don’t Fry Day to support the National Council’s efforts to raise awareness. Our street teams will be handing out free sunscreen to parents, children and passersby at local parks and high-traffic shopping areas throughout Greenville on Don’t Fry Day.

Be on the lookout for the Greenville Dermatology team at the following locations from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on National Don’t Fry Day, Friday, May 23:

·         Augusta Road

·         Cabella’s in Magnolia Park

·         Cleveland Park

·         Greenridge Shopping Center

·         Falls Park

·         Main Street in Downtown Greenville

If you miss us on Don’t Fry Day, call Greenville Dermatology to schedule a skin cancer screening at (864) 242-5872 or visit our retail store today to stock up on sunscreen.

The Link Between Skin Cancer and What We Eat

Although skin cancer is largely preventable, it is still the most common cancer in the United States. In addition to protecting our exposed skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, researchers and experts recommend protecting our skin from a different angle—from the inside out.

Researchers are studying the links between specific foods and skin cancers and have begun to make strides in identifying foods that may help to prevent some cancers, including skin cancer.

Vitamin D and Vitamin C both appear to have a protective effect against skin cancer. While Vitamin D appears to be effective in the fight against existing cancer cells, Vitamin C is one of the best immune enhancements available, and can reduce an individual’s chance of developing cancer from the beginning.

In addition to these vitamins, a diet in plant-based foods and low in processed foods offers the best chance for overall good health. Eliminating flours and other highly processed foods can keep skin and other body systems healthy. It also keeps the body from being more susceptible to damage.

According to Jennifer Burton, a registered dietician with OhioHealth who works with patients at both the Bing Cancer Center and the McConnell Heart Health Center, “People who have a healthy diet will hold up better during treatment should they develop skin cancer. They will have a better environment in the body to begin with, and what they eat during and after treatment can have an impact on whether the cancer is going to spread or whether they will have a recurrence.”

Above all else, the best foods for skin cancer prevention are fruits and vegetables. Good fats like avocado, flaxseed and nuts can also help ward off disease. Carotenoids found in dark, leafy greens and fruits or vegetables that are red, yellow and orange appear to have a particularly strong impact on preventing skin cancer.

In addition to eating whole, clean food, it is also beneficial to keep protecting your skin from the outside elements. Before you step outside this summer, be sure to apply sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and schedule your annual skin cancer screening with Greenville Dermatology by calling (864) 242-5872 today. 

Answers.com: The Sunscreen Controversy

The following is a preview of an article Dr. Miller wrote for Answers.com. Click here to read the full article.

Sunscreens have been commercially available in the United States since the late 1960's. We now use sunscreens with high sun protection factor (SPF) but this apparently has not been enough since the incidence of skin cancer has continued to rise. This has led to controversy over whether the use of sunscreens may or may not increase an individual’s risk of skin cancer.

Is There a Problem with the Sun Protection Factor (SPF)?

Most people understand the concept that the higher the sun protection factor (SPF), the stronger the sunscreen. However, few people truly understand what it means. If you get sunburned within five minutes of being in the sun without sunscreen, then using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 indicates that you could stay in the sun for 15 times five minutes or 75 minutes before getting sunburnt. The problem is that the SPF only applies to the amount of protection against the UVB rays of the sun, which cause sunburn, and does not indicate how much UVA protection there is. It is hypothesized that we are using sunscreen that prevents us from being sunburned, and therefore we are staying in the sun longer than ever before. This allows us to get more UVA than we got before the advent of sunscreens. In other words, sunscreens have given us a false sense of security that we are completely protecting ourselves from the sun when we actually are not.

What Has Been Done to Improve Our Level of Protection?

The FDA has recognized that there is potential for confusion regarding the labeling of sunscreens. Therefore, they have instituted new requirements for sunscreen labeling that helps us to choose a sunscreen that provides adequate protection and tells us how long that protection lasts. In addition to the SPF, there should be the words "broad spectrum" on the label, which indicates that there is adequate UVA protection as well. Without this wording, the sunscreen should have a warning label indicating that use of the product may lead to the development of skin cancer. In addition, the sunscreen label should indicate how long the sunscreen is sweat resistant and water resistant. There is no "sweat proof" or "water proof" sunscreen.

Sunscreen use does not cause skin cancer, but not understanding the labeling can lead to a false sense of security and allow us to get more of the cancer causing UVA rays. Understanding the labeling, using the correct amount of sunscreen, and reapplying when the sunscreen begins to wear out is important to ensure our safety.

Stop by Greenville Dermatology today to pick up your summer supply of sunscreen. To schedule your annual skin cancer screening, call (864) 242-5872. 

Are Single Men at a Greater Risk of Death from Skin Cancer?

According to a recent study conducted by researchers in Stockholm, men with skin cancer who live alone are more likely to die from melanoma than their coupled counterparts.

The researchers studied data on 27,235 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, between 1990 and 2007. The analysis adjusted for factors such as the characteristics of the tumor, gender, educational level, and the body site where the tumor was found.

Their research revealed that men who lived alone were 31 percent more likely to die from melanoma than men who lived with a partner. Men who lived alone were also 42 percent more likely to have more advanced skin cancer at their first doctor’s visit. This was true for men of all ages.

In comparison, older women living alone also had more advanced skin cancer on average at their first doctor’s visit than women living with partners, resulting in a greater risk for developing melanoma. However, single women were no more likely to have late-stage cancer than those living with partners.

According to the researchers, one possible explanation for this trend is that men and older women who live alone are simply ill-informed about the disease, or simply lack a partner to notice any suspect marks on their skin.

Patients who have advanced skin cancer at the time of diagnosis have a much lower survival rate than those who are diagnosed at an early stage. That’s why is it important to recognize the symptoms of skin cancer and be screened by a dermatologist annually.

Click here for more information about skin cancer. To schedule an appointment with Greenville Dermatology, call (864) 242-5872 today.

April is National Rosacea Awareness Month

April is National Rosacea Awareness Month, so it’s important to know what this skin condition is, what contributes to its onset, and how to prevent and control it.

Rosacea is a very common skin condition that typically affects people over the age of 30. It causes redness on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Some people experience small bumps and pimples on the red parts of their faces. In some cases, rosacea can cause burning and soreness in your eyes. In rare cases, rosacea that is not treated may cause permanent damage, such as thickening of facial skin or loss of vision.

This poorly understood skin condition affects more than 16 million people in the U.S.—and most of them don’t know it. In fact, while rosacea is becoming increasingly widespread as the baby boom generation ages, a Gallup survey found that 78 percent of Americans are unaware of this condition, including how to recognize it or what to do about it.

Lifestyle and environmental triggers contribute to rosacea and its severity. Important triggers include food, drink, exercise, weather, emotions, and medications. Avoiding food and alcohol that causes you to flush, such as spicy foods, red wine, or hot drinks will help to control the severity of rosacea. Incorporating more anti-inflammatory foods, such as fish, fruits, and vegetables will also be beneficial.

Some other ways to control rosacea include avoiding over exertion, protecting your skin from the sun, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Rosacea flushing is also common with emotional stressors, so it is important to reduce the stress in your life as much as possible.

While there is no cure for rosacea, there are medications that can help control the symptoms and keep the condition from worsening. If you are showing signs of rosacea, be sure to schedule an appointment with Greenville Dermatology today by calling (864) 242-5872. 

Tips to Protect Your Skin This Summer

With summer on the way, it’s time to start getting your skin ready to take on the sun – from the inside and out. Brief exposure to the sun is beneficial to the skin and essential for production of Vitamin D. However, prolonged exposure may lead to harmful consequences like melanoma – the deadliest type of skin cancer.

It is important to not only take care of the skin that is exposed to sun, but also the skin that stays covered. Below are a few tips to keep in mind before you step outside this summer.

Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before stepping outside. Most sunscreen takes a while to soak into your skin and truly be effective. It is important to reapply your sunscreen every two to three hours; and even more often if you are sweating or exposing your skin to water.

Exfoliate your skin daily for a healthy glow. By incorporating exfoliation into your skin care regime, you’ll be able to avoid dull, dry skin. Exfoliants help to remove old, dead skin cells, toxins and other deposits, allowing new skin cells to surface.

Care for your hair and scalp. It is also important during the summer months to take good care of your hair and scalp. Wear hats as often as possible to keep your scalp from getting sunburn. Apply sunscreen to the parts of your hair that are exposed to the sun. Because hair also tends to be moisture-deprived during the summer, avoid overuse of any kind of chemical or hair styling tool. Use gentle shampoo and a deep conditioner to replenish moisture.

Maintain a healthy diet. When summer is in full swing, it is beneficial to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet and to drink plenty of water. This will help keep your skin hydrated and your body feeling refreshed. Some of the best foods for your skin are cucumbers, cherries, oranges, plums, spinach, and watermelon. These foods are highly nutritious and filled with fiber, vitamins, anti-oxidants, and minerals.

Treat sunburn fast. The sooner you are able to treat sunburn, the better. By getting the inflammation to subside, you will be able to curb the overall damage to your skin. A simple way to do this is to soak a washcloth in a bowl of skim milk and ice, and apply it to the area for five to ten minutes. Also, applying hydrocortisone cream to the skin will help decrease the inflammation.

When you step outside to enjoy the sun this summer, make sure your skin is protected. Stop by Greenville Dermatology’s retail store today to stock up on sunscreens, fun accessories and other skincare products. To schedule an appointment with one of our skincare experts, call (864) 242-5872.