SKIN CANCER PREVENTION MONTH RAISES SUN-SENSE IN HOUSTON
April 2002
The statistics are startling. Each year, approximately one million people in the United States will be diagnosed with skin cancer. One in every five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime, and the disease now accounts for 50 percent of all cancers in this country.
What most people don't realize is that, despite new treatment procedures, these statistics are increasing. Cases of melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, more than tripled among Caucasians between 1980 and 2002. One person now dies of melanoma every hour.
Shocking, isn't it? Especially because skin cancer can be prevented. May has been designated as National Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month by the American Academy of Dermatology. And on May 4th, numerous hospitals and medical clinics throughout the city of Houston (as well as in all other major cities throughout the country) will host free skin cancer screenings in support of this national observance.
Houston dermatologist Dr. Paul Friedman is serving as the program director and committee chairman for the 2002 Houston Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Campaign.
Although the statistics are staggering, there is some good news: nearly all skin cancers are curable if detected early, Friedman said.
Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma are almost 100 percent curable if diagnosed and treated in time. If neglected, certain forms of skin cancers can be deadly, Friedman warned.
Everyone should perform self skin examinations regularly, Friedman recommended. Become familiar with your body and after a while you'll be able to notice subtle changes if they occur.
In order to spring into the summer sun with a safe start, Houstonians are encouraged to attend one of the many free skin cancer screenings available May 4th. Screening sites include:
- Northeast Regional Cancer Center
- Houston Northwest Medical Center
- Memorial Herman Hospital Woodlands
- Memorial Herman Northwest Hospital
- M.D. Anderson
- Memorial Herman Hospital Memorial City
- Memorial Herman Southwest Hospital
- Memorial Herman Fort Bend Hospital
- Bayshore Medical Center
- UTMB, Galveston
- Deke Slayton Cancer Center, Webster
Friedman is the director of laser surgery at DermSurgery Laser Center, a private practice in the Texas Medical Center specializing in dermatologic surgery, including state-of-the-art laser procedures, treatment of skin cancer and many types of skin surgeries. He also specializes in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, one of the most effective treatments for skin cancer.
For more information about Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, call (800)ASC-2345 or go to www.aad.org. For more information about DermSurgery, call (713) 791-9966 or go to www.dermsurgery.org.
