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CURE COMMUNITY
How to spot skin cancer
BY LENA HUANG | MARCH 8, 2010
The American Academy of Dermatology kicked off its 68th annual meeting on March 5 in Miami Beach, Florida. As with most medical meetings, research is introduced and findings are announced so I've been seeing a lot of dermatology stories come across the wire.
In a presentation on recent advances in technology that are helping doctors diagnose melanoma, Harold S. Rabinovitz, MD, FAAD, volunteer professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine said, "The technological advances in melanoma detection in the future will significantly improve our ability to detect early melanomas and help save countless lives. However, keeping a vigilant eye on our skin for any changes that could signal a problem is an irreplaceable first step in the process."
How do you do that? The Academy sponsors a great website to help. This website gives directions on how to perform a self-exam, how to find a dermatologist, and information on free screenings. It also has a very helpful tool, the body mole map, that defines the ABCDEs of melanoma detection (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving) with images.
Although less than 5 percent of skin cancer cases are diagnosed as melanoma, it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. And unlike other cancers, melanoma occurs in the young and the old, and is one of the more common cancers that strikes young adults and adolescents. So don't forget the sunscreen, but more importantly, don't forget to self-exam and teach your children how to as well.
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Hi Lena,
I am going to undergo surgery for thyroid cancer. Allan tells me you have an ongoing thyroid condition as well. I will have surgery on Friday. The recover time is three weeks, my doctor says. How do you deal with your loved ones when you are going through such a huge medical event? How do you communicate to your loved ones that you are sick but you will survive all of this? I have heard of Cure magazine before. I work with Allan and he suggested that I look at the magazine more closely. I have had cancer issues for twelve years, so I do consider myself a survivor. Thank you for any help you can provide. I have two children, one son is 25 and my daughter Kourtney is 26. I have a cute little girl chihuahau, Presley. One more question: I obviously work in a school (a very large school), so I was wondering if you had any articles for me to read during my recovery about how much information to share with colleagues when they ask about my illness, my recovery, and my surgery. This is something that I encounter and I am really not sure of how much to share and how much to hold back. I guess it's common since so many people are curious but I don't know what to say. My name is Mandy Manzano. Thank you Lena.
- Posted by mandy manzano 3/10/10 2:01 PM