March 2012 Newsletter

Posted on: 03-6-2012 Posted in: Newsletters

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DERMATOLOGIST VISIT

To help you make the most of your dermatologist’s appointment, prepare yourself first.
Before the Exam
Remove nail polish ~ your doctor needs to look at your nails and nail beds, since skin cancers can form there.
Perform a full-body skin self exam ~ make note of any new, changing, itching, or bleeding moles, growths, or other lesions.
Remove all make up prior to your appointment & do not apply any lotions, chemicals, etc prior to your visit.
At the Exam
Ask the dermatologist to examine closely any moles, growths, or lesions.
Have the dermatologist show you how to do a proper skin self-exam ~ do not ignore often overlooked areas like the scalp, between the toes, and the soles of the feet.
Ask questions!!!

Just Four Annual Tanning Booth Sessions Multiplies Skin Cancer Risks

New research indicates that people who tan indoors four times a year increase their risk of developing the non-melanoma skin cancers basal and squamous cell carcinoma by 15%, and their risk of melanoma by 11%. Non-melanoma skin cancer can be disfiguring and sometimes life-threatening. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, will kill an estimated 8,790 people in the US this year alone.
Investigators led by Mingfeng Zhang, MD found that in addition to demonstrating a response effect (that is, the more extensive their indoor tanning, the higher their risk of developing skin cancer), the numbers suggest that younger tanners are especially at risk: “Tanning bed use during high school and college conferred a higher risk of basal cell carcinoma(BCC) than did tanning bed use between ages 25 and 35. In fact, just ONE indoor tanning session a year while the subjects were in high school and college boosted their risk of developing BCC by 10%, and those who tanned indoors more than six times a year had an 82% higher risk of developing BCC than non-tanners. The authors presented their findings at a recent meeting of the Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

ACD Employee Spotlight-Vella Young

Vella came to ACD back in November 2005. While able to work several key functions during this time, she has recently been awarded the title of Front Office Co-ordinator. Vella has one son, Isaiah (11 years old). Vella shared 2 of her favorite bible verses: Isaiah 49:16-”a reminder that I’m continually on His mind’ and Psalms 139-”He is aware of me & understands EVERYTHING about me & I desire nothing more than to please Him.” When asked why she enjoyed working here she replied, “The friendships that I have made here with my co-workers”.