|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Just like in grade school, one of the rudimentary lessons children are taught are the ABC’s. One of the most important lessons adults need to learn are the ABCDE’s of skin cancer detection, especially the warning signs of potentially cancerous moles which can appear on any part of the body. Dr. Rebecca Baxt is a prominent NYC/NJ board certified dermatologist who firmly believes that early detection of skin cancer can play a key role in saving peoples lives. All it takes is remembering the alphabet and checking your own skin for warning signs. Follow the ABCDE’s! If your mole has any of these warning signs see your dermatologist.
A-Asymmetry. One side does not match the other side of the mole if you were to draw a line in the middle of the lesion.
B-Border Irregularity. If the perimeter of the mole is jagged and irregular rather than smooth.
C-Color Variation. Bad colors are the flag colors-red, white and blue. Also black. Also more than one color in the mole is a warning sign. Light brown or medium brown for the whole mole is usually normal.
D-Diameter. Smaller than the size of a pencil eraser is usually a good sign, but not always. If the mole has other warning signs, but is small, still see your doctor.
E-Evolving. The mole is changing in any way-itchy, bleeding, growing, irritated, painful, changing color. Patients often find their own skin cancers and save their own lives by bringing evolving moles to their doctors attention.
Dr. Baxt recommends that, “everyone should conduct a thorough, full body self skin exam to check for the presence of irregular moles. This should occur in spite of what their family’s medical history is or their skin type. This should be done at least every few months and at least once a year by a dermatologist. Use a hand held mirror if needed, or ask a friend or family member to look at your back.” Dr. Baxt recommends starting at the top with the scalp, this is especially important for people who have thinning hair or baldness. A hat is the best way to protect the scalp from sun. Gel or spray sunscreens often work well on the scalp in addition to a hat. After checking the scalp for moles, people should proceed to the neck, ears, and face, looking closely at the eyelids, lips, and corners of the nose which can often be overlooked. The other area, surprisingly, and especially among women who are quick to use sunscreen to ward off the aging effects of the sun on their faces, are the legs. The number one spot for melanomas among women are the legs, and this is especially true for women who often seek to tan the lower extremities.
“Don’t forget it is important to look underneath the arms, around the genitalia, on the legs, feet, and even between the toes. Many people mistakenly think that if an area such as between the toes are not exposed to the sun, then they are not at risk for melanoma. This is absolutely false.” Melanoma, can also be genetically determined, therefore; sometimes occurring in non-sun exposed areas.
“A suspicious growth does not always signal melanoma,” says Dr. Baxt. “It could be a basal cell skin cancer, a squamous cell, or a dysplastic mole.” Some dermatologists do feel that these dysplastic moles which are benign, can be precursors to malignant melanoma. “Many times,” says Dr. Baxt, “we see severely dysplastic moles or a history of melanoma which can be grouped into a syndrome called dysplastic nevus syndrome. Those who fall into this category need to be closely monitored. Statistically, their chances of developing melanoma can be higher.” Even those people without a history of suspicious moles should obtain a complete skin exam once a year by a dermatologist.
Who is most at risk for melanoma? “Everyone is at risk,” says Dr. Baxt. “There have even been some cases of African Americans developing melanoma. In darker skinned patients it is more likely that the skin cancer will be on the hands and feet. Everyone can take steps to avoid melanoma by protecting the skin from the sun through the use of a sunscreen containing an SPF 30 or higher.” It may be surprising to some, but a tan is the body’s defense mechanism against ultraviolet light. Even those who tan rather than burn are at risk. “People are also misguided regarding the use of tanning beds,” says Dr. Baxt.
“Tanning booths have been popular for some time. Although the UV rays emitted from the bulb are UVA rays rather than the UVB rays more commonly associated with burning, the UVA rays penetrate deeper in the skin and cause premature aging and wrinkling.”
At present, there is a higher incidence of melanoma than ever before, which is thought to be due in part, to the thinning ozone layer. Each year, over 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in America today — and can be one of the most curable if caught early. It is also perhaps THE most preventable form of cancer. Taking precautionary measures against the sun, avoiding tanning beds, as well as following the ABCDE’s, can drastically reduce the incidence of melanoma, or aid in early detection. The bottom line is our goal is that no one die of skin cancer, in particular melanoma–in the early stages it is often 100% curable.
About Rebecca Baxt, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.D.
Rebecca Baxt, MD, MBA, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in both cosmetic and general dermatology for adults and children. Attending Ivy League University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Baxt graduated Summa Cum Laude Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in English Literature. She continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania for medical school and completed an internship in Internal Medicine. She also obtained an MBA from the Wharton School of Management in Health Care administration.
Upon graduation, she moved to New York to train in Dermatology at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, where she was a chief resident and the recipient of the Morris Leider award for excellence in patient care. She continues to teach Dermatology at NYU where she is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology. She joined her parents at Baxt Cosmedical in 2000 in Paramus, New Jersey and most recently opened an office on Madison Avenue in New York in 2012. She is a nationally recognized certified Allergan Botox, Juvederm and Voluma trainer, and was part of the Voluma launch faculty in 2013. Dr. Baxt is on staff at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood NJ, as well as Bellevue Hospital in NY. She also volunteers at Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative in Hackensack in the Dermatology clinic.
Dr. Rebecca Baxt has been voted a Top Doctor for Dermatology in Bergen County, New Jersey for 2012, 2013, 2014 by her peers. She lectures throughout the country on treatment of acne and acne scars and has been on faculty for the ASDS and ASLMS meetings. Dr. Rebecca Baxt maintains many society affiliations. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, New Jersey State Medical Society, Bergen County Medical Society, and the Dermatological Society of Greater New York, as well as the American Medical Association. She is a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation, and always volunteers free skin cancer screenings yearly.
Dr. Rebecca Baxt treats both adults and children, and specializes in cosmetic consultations and procedures. She also has a particular interest in acne and rosacea. She performs Botox injections, Chemical peels, Intense Pulsed Light Photorejuvenation/Photofacial procedures, Isolaz Acne Treatments, Laser Hair Removal, Facial Filler injectables (Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, Sculptra, etc.), Leg Vein injections, Smooth beam Laser, Photodynamic Therapy, Vbeam Laser, Fraxel Laser resurfacing and Ultherapy. She treats all skin conditions and she performs Skin Cancer screenings and treatments.
For more information, please visit www.cosmedical.com or visit Baxt Cosmedical Facebook Fan Page
###
For advertising/promo rates, call Mike McCurdy at: 877-634-9180, or email [email protected]