Prevention Beat
May 5, 2010
May is Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month
Melanoma is the most serious cancer of the skin, affecting cells that produce and transport the pigment melanin – the substance that gives skin its color. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, including more than 100,000 cases of melanoma and an estimated 8,650 deaths will result from melanoma. In Kansas, as many as 12,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, including more than 550 cases of melanoma. Nearly 100 deaths in Kansas are due to the disease annually.
Melanoma is a common cancer in light-skinned individuals; African Americans are less likely to develop the disease. If caught in its early stages, and with treatment, more than 75 percent of patients with melanoma survive at least five years after diagnosis.
Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Though the precise cause of melanoma is unknown, the following risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer:
- Skin color – Individuals with light-colored eyes and skin are at a higher risk than those with brown eyes and naturally darker skin.
- History of sunburns – A history of severe blistering sunburns, particularly during childhood and teenage years, is a recurring theme among those diagnosed.
- Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation – Excessive tanning bed exposure and sunbathing puts the skin at higher risk.
- Moles – An increased presence of moles or the presence of dysplastic or other atypical moles may be a warning sign of higher risk.
- Suppressed immune systems – Certain states of immunosuppression, (e.g., that of renal transplant patients and those with Hodgkin's Disease) make one more vulnerable to the risk of developing melanoma.
- Previous melanoma – Personal or family history of melanoma gives you a genetic predisposition for developing the disease.
Melanoma facts
- Cancer of the skin is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma accounts for about four percent of skin cancer cases, but causes about 79 percent of skin cancer deaths.
- Melanoma is a more serious type of cancer than the more common skin cancers, basal cell cancer or squamous cell cancer.
- Melanoma can spread (metastasize) quickly to other parts of the body through the lymph or circulatory systems.
- Warning signs of melanoma: change in the size, shape, or color of a mole; oozing or bleeding from a mole; a mole that feels itchy, hard, lumpy, swollen, or tender to the touch; the pigmented area of a mole doesn't look normal.
One American dies of melanoma almost every hour. The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect yourself from the sun. If you have warning signs of melanoma visit with your doctor right away for evaluation and treatment.
This year, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has declared Friday, May 28 as Don’t Fry Day. This is the start of Memorial Day weekend when many people traditionally begin spending more time outdoors. This campaign seeks to advance awareness of skin cancer prevention. More information and resources about this campaign are available at www.skincancerprevention.org.
Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute.
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***We are now open Saturdays at our Independence location from 9am – 1pm to serve your occupational medicine and urgent care needs. Our Independence location is open 5pm – 9pm Monday – Friday to serve your after hour needs as well***
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To learn more about
services Adult Quick Care or OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our
Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.adultquickcare.com or www.ohscompcare.com.
OHS-COMPCARE now featuring Adult Quick Care (Urgent Care Services) has seven (7) area clinical facilities:
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Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
816-761-4664 |
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After Hours Available 5-9pm M-F *Now open Saturday 9am – 1pm |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
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Adult Quick Care provides Urgent Care to Adults and Adolescents Age 14 and Older.
No appointment is necessary at Adult Quick Care.
When you are sick or have a new injury, Adult Quick Care is your affordable, time saving choice for quality care.
To learn more about Adult Quick Care please call 816-559-6320 or visit www.adultquickcare.com.