Princeton, NJ Health Care Guide Announcement
Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center will kick off its skin cancer
awareness campaign with two free screenings in May. The skin cancer
screenings will be held on Monday, May 16th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
and Thursday, May 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The screenings will
be completed by local dermatologists, Carter Abel, M.D. on May 16th and
Christopher Cassetty, M.D., Alissa Fox, M.D., and Michael Sisack, M.D.
on May 19th.
People who attend the program will be given a full body screening by a
board-certified dermatologist. The event will also include educational
information on skin cancer prevention and detection, and will address
melanoma and reducing mortality rates, but will also address
non-melanoma.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer of the skin is
the most common of all cancers, accounting for nearly half of all
cancers in the United States. More than 1 million cases of non-melanoma
skin cancers are found in this country each year.
The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell
carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. About 75% of all skin cancers are
basal cell. They are most common on areas exposed to the sun such as the
head and neck. They are usually slow growing cancers and rarely spread
to distant parts of the body. However, if not treated, they can grow
into nearby areas and invade the bone or other tissues beneath the skin.
Squamous cell carcinomas account for 20% of all skin cancers. Like basal
cell, they also form on sun-exposed areas. Squamous cell cancers are
more likely to invade tissues beneath the skin, and are more likely to
spread to distant parts of the body. Melanoma is the skin cancer to
watch out for. It accounts for only four percent of skin cancers, yet
causes 79% of skin cancer deaths.
Too much exposure to strong sunlight, especially when resulting in sun
burns, is one of the major risk factors for developing skin cancer. As
the warm summer months approach and people head outdoors, their risk
increases.
Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center suggests the following strategies for
protecting yourself from sun exposure.
? Wear a hat, protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen with a
sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater, applied 20 minutes before
going into the sunlight and reapplied every 3-4 hours.
? Avoid exposure during 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun’s
rays are strongest.
? Remember that sunlight can reflect off water, sand, and concrete
and can reach below the water’s surface.
? Children need extra protection. Encourage them to play in the
shade, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen regularly.
The earlier a skin cancer is detected, the greater the chance for
successful treatment. Spots on the skin that change in size, shape or
color should be seen by a doctor right away. Skin cancers are rarely
painful. Any unusual sore, lump, blemish, marking, or change in the way
an area of the skin looks or feels may be a sign of skin cancer.
Many people may not realize that skin cancer screening is an exam that
is usually covered by their insurance. This community screening is open
to Hunterdon County residents, ages 18 and older who have not been
screened within the past 12 months and are not under the care of a
dermatologist. Registration for the free screening is limited. To
register call 908-237-5445.
Hunterdon Medical Center
2100 Wescott Drive
Flemington, NJ 08822
Phone: 908-788-6515
Fax: 908-788-6526
www.hunterdonhealthcare.org
Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center will kick off its skin cancer
awareness campaign with two free screenings in May. The skin cancer
screenings will be held on Monday, May 24th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
and Thursday, May 27th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The screenings will
be completed by local dermatologists, Carter Abel, MD, and Robert
Ilowite, DO on May 24th and Christopher Cassetty, MD and Carter Abel, MD
on May 27th.
People who attend the program will be given a full body screening by a
board-certified dermatologist. The event will also include educational
information on skin cancer prevention and detection, and will address
melanoma and reducing mortality rates, but will also address
non-melanoma.
Many people may not realize that skin cancer screening is an exam that
is usually covered by their insurance. In addition, individuals who have
been seen or been referred to a dermatologist should continue to see the
dermatologist for more comprehensive exams than those of a community
screening. This community screening is open to individuals who have not
been screened within the past 15 months, and who have not been under the
care of a dermatologist. Registration for the free screening is limited.
To register call 908-237-5445.
