Who's At Risk Of Skin Cancer and Melanoma - Memphis Dermatologist
George Woodbury MD 2/28/2023
Skin Cancer is a big U.S. health problem, with over 190,000 Americans being diagnosed with a type of Skin Cancer called Melanoma this year, and over 7250 fatalities. That number is also growing, particularly in people above the age of 50.
%2005042020.jpg)
The good news is that if Skin Cancer including Melanoma is detected early, it is often very treatable by a minor outpatient procedure. Dermatologists like me frequently take a specimen of skin for what’s called a biopsy, and if this biopsy test confirms Skin Cancer, the lesion can frequently be removed by a relatively minor outpatient treatment with a local anesthetic shot. Unfortunately, if detected late, Skin Cancer and Melanoma can compromise one’s health and well-being.
So who’s at risk of Skin Cancer?
Being a Dermatologic Surgeon, I believe that really everyone is at risk, from people with fair skin that tend to burn and peel in the sun, to people with very dark skin, who tend to tan in the sun.
.jpg)
High risk people for Skin Cancer include:
People with a history of one or more than one blistering sunburn.
People who have tanned indoors – because Ultraviolet light bulbs emit a concentrated form of UV that is really dangerous.
People who have worked in the sun or played in the sun: golfers, skiers, runners, people who like to sail, construction workers, lifeguards.
People with red or blond hair. People with blue eyes.
People with Northern European descent – like the Scottish/Irish, or Scandinavians.
A good first move if you or a family member is at high risk is to come in regularly for a Skin Cancer Screening check with a Board-certified Dermatologist, an especially high priority for people with skin lesions that could be cancerous.
You could also check your skin overall at least once a month – perhaps with the help of a mirror – remembering that skin cancer can develop in the groin, in the scalp, and behind the ears. Perhaps if it’s the first day of the month, it’s a great day for you to get undressed and check yourself out – and perhaps all of your family members!
For more detail on Melanoma, check out “Understanding the Melanoma Crisis: Scarlet’s Story,’ a 2018 movie sponsored by my Dermatology practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KSB-5pTahQ.
My own Dermatology practice is in Cordova, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis, TN, with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates (www.Rheumderm.com; 1-901-753-0168). Or you can find a Dermatologist closer to you by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, www.AAD.org. Then simply plug your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist tab.”
In 2016, I became the President of a company called Big River Silk Skincare Inc. (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com). We manufacture and distribute steroid-free moisturizer creams –GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/Standard Strength, and GlycoShea Hand&Body Cream/High Strength – as well as our newest moisturizers – GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion/Standard Strength, GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion/High Strength, GlycoShea Hand&Body Oil/Standard Strength and GlycoShea Hand&Body Oil/High Strength.
We also distribute a fragrance-free sunscreen – Vanicream Sunscreen Sport SPF 50 – based upon zinc oxide – with no dyes, propylene glycol, nor sulfates. (3.5 oz: $17.95).
The GlycoShea moisturizers both reduce dryness and roughness on the hands (and feet), and also remove rough areas of the skin because of their Glycolic Acid ingredient, an organic and natural chemical originally discovered in sugarcane (1 oz of GlycoShea Hand&Body Products/Standard Strength: $19.95/2 oz: $29.95; 8 oz: $89.95; 1 oz of GlycoShea Hand&Body Products/High Strength: $29.95/2 oz; $44.95/8 oz: $134.95).
The products of Big River Silk Skincare can be purchased on site at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 – Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM – or on the web: https://www.Bigriversilkskincare.com. USPS shipping and handling for U.S. orders is $5.00 for orders under $40.00, otherwise complimentary shipping and handling ($10.00 for Canadian orders under $75.00;otherwise complimentary). 1-901-753-0168.
The moral of the story: “See Spot. See Spot Change. See a Dermatologist.”
George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (02/28/2023)
8143 Walnut Grove Road
Cordova TN 38018
1-901-753-0168