Although we are getting into the sunny summer months, it’s important to remember that skin cancer prevention is a year-long job. As the most common form of cancer, it is currently estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer within their lifetime. Fortunately, the two most common forms, squamous cell carcinomas, and basal cell cancer have high cure Continue reading
Most people know that they should wear sunscreen whenever they’re outside for any length of time, especially in the summer, and many of them do. However, most people apply sunscreen just before they go outside and then forget about it, not reapplying throughout the rest of the day. The fact is, sunscreen is made to be reapplied periodically and will Continue reading
Skin damage from overexposure to the sun is a legitimate concern for all of us. Medical research shows that ultraviolet or UV rays from the sun are behind 80% of our skin aging. There are ways you can help reverse sun damage in your skin to keep skin refreshed and avoid prematurely aging. Healing Sunburn Damage Harmful UV sun rays Continue reading
Most people have at least a few skin freckles or moles; while others may have dozens or more. Although moles are common and part of our body’s normal anatomy, there are some instances when moles can change and become pre-cancerous or cancerous. Ignoring or overlooking cancerous moles can have serious, even deadly, consequences. Therefore, keeping up with the status of Continue reading
Squamous cell carcinoma (or squamous cell skin cancer) is the second most common skin cancer. These skin cancers arise from normal cells in the epidermis (or the top layer of skin). When these cells mutate into cancerous cells, usually from excessive UV light exposure, they invade into the deeper layers of skin. Although squamous cell skin cancer is not usually Continue reading
Most people know that summer outdoor fun requires sunscreen and those who forget to learn very quickly through the pain of a sunburn. However, many do not realize that winter sunlight still contains UVA and UVB exposure, and snow reflection can be almost as damaging to skin as direct sunlight. Additionally, reduced melanin in winter can limit skin’s ability to Continue reading
Firefighters at greater risk for skin cancer “As if their jobs aren’t dangerous enough, there’s new evidence that suggests that firefighters may have an increased risk for skin cancer over those in other professions,” explains Dr. Jennifer Vickers, board certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Bee Cave, Texas. What’s causing the increased risk? According to researchers studying the Annual Cancer Continue reading
Although it doesn’t always get a lot of attention, skin cancer is actually the most common cancer in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014, “76,665 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanomas of the skin and 9,324 people died from this cancer”. “This is why it’s essential to perform regular Continue reading
When doctors talk about skin cancer, they often reiterate the point that it’s important to catch any potential issues early in order to have the best chance of recovery. But exactly how quickly can skin cancer grow? Is it safe to wait a week after noticing something strange on your skin? How long should you wait before deciding that a Continue reading
When a doctor performs a skin biopsy on you, the doctor removes a small part of your skin, analyzes it, and looks at it under the microscope. “This is a sample, a piece of the bigger skin, usually removed for diagnostic purposes,” shares Dr. Azeen Sadeghian, board certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA. In this case, the Continue reading
