14 May 2017
PRIME TIME
Skin Cancer Detection And Prevention Month Makes A Difference
By Barb Armijo
Technology and medical advances over the years have improved the chances of curing melanoma , the most dangerous type of skin cancer . And thanks to an increasingly aggressive awareness campaign , more people are getting diagnosed earlier , when the disease is treatable and curable .
In fact , May is national Skin Cancer Awareness month - a good time to take preventive measures , such as checking for moles , other unusual bumps and skin discoloration , or make an appointment with a dermatologist for a check-up .
According to the American Cancer Society , skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States . Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer . UV radiation can also come from tanning booths or sunlamps .
Skin cancer can almost always be cured when it ’ s found and
LISA FISCHER
& GRAND BATON
treated early , said Dr . Susan Guo , of the New Mexico Cancer Center . Dr . Guo and her colleagues at the Cancer Center are now offering a non-surgical option for skin cancer treatments .
“ Certainly , treating a patient less invasively is a goal ,” she said . “ Using the latest technology it is now safer to treat skin cancer by delivering a precise , calibrated dose of radiation that only goes skin deep .”
Dr . Guo says that once skin cancer is detected , and it ’ s in an early enough stage , patients can be safely treated in an office setting . The New Mexico Cancer Center is using the SRT-100 Vision ™ to deliver the superficial non-surgical radiation therapy .
“ It ’ s painless and is a low dosage of radiation , which destroys the basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma , as well as the nonmalignant tumor cells that cause keloids ,” Guo said . “ It ’ s like going to the dentist for x-rays .”
Keloids are chronic , nonmalignant tumors that often form
5TH ANNUAL
Gala & Concert-only tickets available !
following surgery , but may also occur after other skin traumas such as acne , chickenpox , ear piercing , burns and other skin injuries , said Dr . Guo .
Skin Cancer Awareness month can make a difference in pulling together communities , health professionals , and families to prevent skin cancer or detect it early . Here are some strategies from the American Academy of Dermatology for preventing skin cancer and raising awareness :
• Encourage families to adopt good habits together , like wearing sunscreen and limiting their time in the sun .
• Motivate teachers and administrators to teach children about the harm of UV radiation and why it ’ s important to protect yourself .
• Identify youth leaders in your community who can talk to their peers about taking steps to prevent skin cancer .
• Partner with a local hospital , state fair or similar organization to host a skin cancer screening event . Albuquerque and Santa Fe are two cities with high elevation and a high UV Index , based on the 2010 U . S . Census Data . Albuquerque is at 5,312-feet in elevation and Santa Fe is at 7,199 feet . According to the Environmental Protection Agency ’ s SunSafety information , New Mexico residents are exposed to a high UV Index as a result of its high elevation .
According to the EPA , any number over an 8 on the index is high , and New Mexico ’ s UV Index was at 9 in April . As a result , it is recommended that New Mexico residents be careful in the sun , including wearing hats , long sleeve shirts and using sunscreen .
The American Academy of Dermatology has made it easy for people to spread the word on social media as well . It has several sample tweets for people to use on their Twitter accounts . Here are some of them :
May is Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month ! Take these steps to protect yourself from # SkinCancer : http :// 1 . usa . gov / 1G8qOTW .
Ultraviolet ( UV ) radiation from the sun is the main cause of # SkinCancer . Learn more : http :// bit . ly / 2mxjLDq .
# DYK ? # SkinCancer is the most common type of cancer in the U . S . Learn more : http :// 1 . usa . gov / 1AZDGpd .
Is indoor tanning safer than tanning in the sun ? The answer is no . Find out why : http :// 1 . usa . gov / 1bbBePF
You can protect yourself from # SkinCancer by doing regular skin self-exams . Learn how : http :// 1 . usa . gov / 1nZSlRU
Be cool and wear your shades – UV rays can hurt your eyes . Get more tips to keep your eyes healthy : http :// bit . ly / 1zNmQ1e
Skin cancer affects people of all ages , including older adults . Get the facts : http :// 1 . usa . gov / jt7vYY
Health Tip : Put sunscreen on 30 minutes before you go outside to help prevent # SkinCancer . For more tips : http :// bit . ly / 1Vc9PJt
F R I D A Y
MAY
26
6 : 30PM
50 + Job Search Assistance Service for senior workers age 50 and over
• Job Coaching • Networking • Job Search Resources All services are free . For more information email richard . gregory @ state . nm . us or call 505 383-3906
Showing at the Guild Cinema , May 16-18 : the Oscar-winning documentary , 20 Feet From Stardom featuring Lisa Fischer !
210 Yale SE 505.268.0044 www . outpostspace . org