Part 1 of a two part series. Hear what dermatologist Dr. Ashley Sturgeon has to say about common areas producers often develop sun spots.
May is designated as National Melanoma Skin Cancer Prevention Month by the American Academy of Dermatology. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer, and it is the deadliest of skin cancers. But self checks and regular screenings by a dermatologist, can catch a spot before it becomes deadly.
In this two-part video series, Dr. Ashley Sturgeon, a farmer’s wife and assistant professor of dermatology at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, addresses common areas farmers and ranchers often develop skin spots, prevention and the importance of skin-checks.
“Skin checks are really important because there are things that someone might find that they won’t show a dermatologist, so it's really important to find things before they become problems,” explains Sturgeon.“If you catch things early, its most often an easy fix.”
And while every skin cancer is not as bad as melanoma, she says early detection is the key. “You hear about melanoma being deadly and horrible and it certainly is, but if you catch it early a simple procedure could cure it."
Many events are being held throughout May in the U.S. to focus on skin health, sun safety, tanning prevention, and provide people with helpful resources. Free skin cancer screenings will also be available in clinics throughout the nation, including May 12 at the Southwest Cancer Center, Lubbock. The free screening is open to anyone, with or without health insurance, from 8 a.m to 1:30 p.m., says Sturgeon. To find a free skin cancer screening location or to learn more about skin cancer, go to: https://bit.ly/2jlBjOs.
"This is a screening, not an office visit," Sturgeon states. "I would plead with farmers to get their skin checked. It's so important. If I catch something early it's no big deal. If you wait until it becomes noticeable to you that's when it can be a problem. And skin cancer can go from not a big deal to a really big deal in just a matter of months."
All are asked to join the American Academy of Dermatology in wearing orange and encouraging others to wear orange for skin cancer awareness.
See Farmer’s wife/dermatologist urges farmers, ranchers to protect their skin, https://bit.ly/2DqqFh6.
To learn about the ABCDEs of melanoma, go to https://bit.ly/1OkOZCf.