Cherish Your Skin, Cherish Your Life- Skin Cancer Article featured in Cover to Cover
- Posted on: May 2 2012
Hello! Follow this link to read more about the Moh’s Micrographic procedure and skin cancer awareness by Dr. Asarch.
Maintaining your skin’s health is as important as maintaining the health of the rest of your organs and body. With Spring here and the warm months of Summer ahead, you will probably be spending more and more time outdoors. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and a great time for a reminder about preventing sun damage.
“Protection from the sun prevents damage to the cells of the epidermis. Over time this sun damage can lead to the production of lines, wrinkles, precancerous lesions and actual skin cancers.” says Dr. Richard Asarch of the Asarch Dermatology and Laser in Denver, CO.
Know your body, so you can recognize changes and possible Melanomas. Full body skin examinations- screening skin for benign or cancerous lesions- are essential for optimum health maintenance. Half of melanomas are first identified by patients themselves. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an annual full body exam to allow early detection of treatment. An important part of prevention is mole tracking with the ABCDE danger signs: A=asymmetry, B=irregular border, C=irregular color, D=increase in diameter, E=evolution or changes in the mole. A Body Mole Map is available through the American Academy of Dermatology website.
Check your skin several times a year if you have multiple risk factors such as excessive exposure to the sun, tanning bed use, or a history of precancerous skin lesions, cancer or frequent sun burns.
Dr. Asarch adds, “Only about one third of the population performs self-exams for the signs of skin cancer and a significant number of those people are unable to see or recognize suspicious lesions on their own. A visit to your Dermatologist is important for a thorough evaluation of any areas of concern.”
Read the rest here…GO TO ARTICLE
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