Newswise — (New York – April 21, 2015) – Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with one in five Americans developing it over the course of their lives. It’s also one of the most preventable types of cancers. In recognition of May’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Melanoma Monday on May 4th, Mount Sinai Health System experts are arming the public with vital tips on prevention and offering FREE skin cancer screenings.
Experts Available for Interview• Dr. Mark Lebwohl, Sol and Clara Kest Professor of Dermatologyand Chair of the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatologyat the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai • Dr. Andrew Alexis, Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai St. Luke's and Mount Sinai Roosevelt• Dr. Hooman Khorasani, Chief of Division of Mohs, Reconstructive, and Cosmetic Surgery and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai• Dr. Desiree Ratner, Director, Comprehensive Skin Cancer Program, Mount Sinai Beth Israel and Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
“Fortunately, most skin cancers, even melanoma, can be cured and treated when detected early,” says Dr. Lebwohl. “Knowing your own skin is the key to discovering skin cancer early on. See a dermatologist for a skin check if you notice a spot, mole or lump on your body that is changing, growing or bleeding.”
Facts ● Melanoma is the number one fastest growing cancer in men and number two in women.● Basal cell carcinoma is the most common kind of skin cancer and if caught early it has a cure rate approaching 100 percent.● Exposure to tanning beds can increase the risk of melanoma, especially in women under the age of 45.
Tips for Skin Cancer Prevention ● Get an annual checkup: Annual dermatology visits to monitor changes in your skin and your child’s are just as important as annual physicals and regular trips to the dentist. Nearly 50 percent of UV exposure occurs between the ages of 19 – 40. ● Wear sunblock every day: Sunblock is not just for the summer. You should apply an SPF of 30 or more to all exposed skin thoroughly – your body, eyes, lips, ears and feet – every day, year-round. Re-apply approximately every two hours, even on cloudy days.● Never plan to sunbathe: You might not immediately realize the damage you’re doing by intentionally soaking up the sun, because it takes 10-20 years for skin damage to catch up with you, but sun dissolves the collagen and elastin in your skin which keeps it healthy.● Avoid tanning beds: Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling.● Wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, pants and a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever possible.● Watch your brown spots and freckles: Do self-skin checks every month. If you have a lot of brown spots, talk to your dermatologist about total body photography so your doctor can keep a photographic record of your moles and watch closely for any change. ● Follow the ABCDEs: Tell your dermatologist if your moles have: • Asymmetry, where one half of the mole is different from the other half;• Borders that are irregular, scalloped or poorly defined;• Color that varies from one area to another, with shades of tan and brown, black, sometimes white, red or blue; • Diameters that are the size of a pencil eraser (6mm) or larger; however some melanomas can be smaller• Evolving, when a mole or skin lesion looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape and color
Free Skin Cancer Screenings: Mount Sinai Roosevelt, Wednesday, May 20th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 425 W. 59th street, 5th floor The Mount Sinai Hospital, Faculty Practice Associates, Thursday, May 7th, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 5 E. 98th Street, 5th floorMount Sinai St. Luke’s, Thursday, May 7th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm, 1090 Amsterdam, Suite 11D Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Phillips Ambulatory Care Center, Thursday, May 7th, 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 10 Union Square East, 3rd floor About the Mount Sinai Health SystemThe Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services—from community‐based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.The System includes approximately 6,600 primary and specialty care physicians, 12‐minority‐owned free‐standing ambulatory surgery centers, over 45 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, as well as 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the top 20 medical schools both in National Institutes of Health funding and by U.S. News & World Report.For more information, visit Mount Sinai on the web, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube. and Instagram.
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