MAY is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month….today is Melanoma Black Monday!

Hard to believe we’re into May already!  So, I must do my annual warning against skin cancer:  May has been designated by many organizations as National Skin Cancer Awareness Month…and that involves letting you know about skin cancers and ways you

Sun Protection

can avoid them.  We do this year after year because:  Melanoma and Non Melanoma  is the most common form of skin cancer in the United States.  For my faithful blog followers, please review this and pass it along to someone who needs this information.

SKIN CANCER FACTS AS THEY ARE:

1)  More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by sun exposure.  2)  Every hour 1 person dies from skin cancer   3)  Skin cancer accounts for more than 50% of all cancers combined   4) Per the American Cancer Association: more than 1 million cases will be diagnosed this year   5)  Skin cancer is most deadly among African Americans, Asians and Latinos   6)  One bad burn during childhood doubles the risk factor   7)  Men are diagnosed with skin cancer more often than women.

2 CATEGORIES:   Highly curable  (basal cell and squamous cell cancers) ……Deadly  (melanomas)

AVOID TANNING BEDS…the new trend among women between 18 to 29 years of age…involves an 8 times greater risk of developing skin cancer. and increased use of tanning beds increased the risk of getting skin cancers.

Skin cancer history is also linked to new skin cancers developing in other areas of the body according to a large study done by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston  (over 46,000 men and 100K+ women involved in the study) which ran from June 1984 to June 2008.  Nearly 70,000 new cases of skin cancers were diagnosed in these patients with a history of previous skin cancers with the women  being at higher risk than the men.  Bottom line is….both men and women get skin cancers…mostly from excess sun exposure and early diagnosis and treatment is critical to good outcomes.  SEE MY BLOGS FROM MAY 2012, 2011 for more info on skin cancer, risk factors, staying safe and more….

FIVE MORE SUN PROTECTIVE TIPS….  6)  Don’t use sunscreen that has “baked” in your hot car….it’s useless.   7) If you take medications or use OTC pain killers….talk with your Dr. since many of these cause “photosensitivity.”  8) UVA rays penetrate glass…so be aware when sitting by windows during the heat of summer   9)  Don’t count on makeup for protection….you must know what level of protection it offers…and if you need to also use sunscreen    10)  Beach umbrellas block sun from above…but not the glare from below or from the water….choose carefully when setting up for the day.

MOTHER’S DAY….give your Mom or Sweetheart a SPA DAY  or a GIFT COUPON for BOTOX, RADIESSE…JUVEDERM,  LIP AUGMENTATION….  or a procedure she’s been talking about!   Women love these kinds of gifts!   Give a “New Mommy” a SPA DAY….and info about Mommy Makeovers.

Have a great May!

Steven Davison M.D.

“DAVinci….where I combine the supreme elements of art and surgical science.”

MELANOMA SKIN CANCER Information from Dr. Steven Davison

SCREENING & PROTECTION INFORMATION  from Dr. Steven Davison

Here are a few more tips on Melanoma…since May is National Skin Cancer awareness month.  See my last blog for detailed information on the three types of skin cancer and most critically… melanoma skin cancer.

SCREENING:  Melanoma can be deadly but is treatable with immediate diagnosis and early treatment.  After Melanoma spreads to the lymph nodes, the 5 year survival rate possible with treatment, drops to 62% and 15% respectively.

You can self-screen to check for skin cancers or you can see a dermatologist or sign up for a “free” cancer screening.  They are offered frequently around the country.

SELF CHECK for MELANOMA:

Use these steps:

1) STAND UP & look into the mirror & examine your head, scalp, face, neck, chest, torso, (women under the breasts), hands, nails, elbows, arms and underarms.

2) SIT DOWN & check your legs, feet, soles, heels & toenails.  Use a HAND MIRROR to check genitals.

3) STAND UP & use a HAND MIRROR to inspect the back of neck, shoulders, upper arms, back, buttocks & legs.

REDUCE YOUR RISK:  We cannot completely avoid sun exposure, but there are ways to reduce the risk from exposure.

COVER UP…Wear cool, clothing that covers your body.  Dark colors block more UV rays than light colors.

WEAR A HAT…Wear a wide brim hat when out in the sun. It should cover your ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.  A baseball cap is better than nothing.

SUNGLASSES… invest in good glasses that block UV rays.  They should block 99 t0 100% of UVA & UVB rays.

SUNSCREEN…LOTS OF IT!  Get it, use it liberally and apply it often…at least every 2 hours when in the sun.

***Ask Nora about our sunscreen products.

If you have any questions or concerns, call me and we’ll address them right away.

Dr. Steven Davison

At DAVinci…I combine the supreme elements of art & surgical science.