During National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month (May), the dermatologists at South Shore Skin Center and Spa spotted several potential cases of melanoma during their free Skin Cancer Screening clinic held at their Plymouth practice.
According to Dr. Richard F. Eisen, Board Certified Dermatologist and Founding Physician/Director of South Shore Skin Center, who took part in the screenings that evening, “Melanoma is rising rapidly in New England and in particular in the South Shore area. At our recent screening, we diagnosed one severe case of melanoma and three potential new melanoma cases which may be confirmed cases after biopsy.”
100 people from the South Shore and Plymouth areas attended the free screening evening. The event was a collaboration between Jordan Hospital Club Cancer Center and South Shore Skin Center and Spa and supported by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society.
Many who attended had fair skin and/or had never had their skin checked before.
South Shore Skin Center and Spa providers who were screening patients along with Dr. Eisen included Dr. Ramzi W. Saad (partner at South Shore Skin Center and organizer of the annual screening event), Dr. Emily P. Tierney, Dr. Barry M. Austin, Dr. William W. Stocker, Jessica L. Bahros PA-C, Elizabeth J. McLeish PA-C and Vanessa H. Pollard PA-C. Maryellen Maguire-Eisen, RN, MSN, Executive Director of the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation was also on hand with the Glow Vista Skin Analyzer taking high definition profile photos which showed attendees the extent of their skin’s UV damage.
“New England has the highest concentration of melanoma cases in the United States. It is the most common cancer in young white women ages 25-29 and second only to breast cancer in women ages 30-34. This is the first time we have seen such a significant number of cases at a screening of 100 people. It is an indication of just how common and serious skin cancers are. It cannot be stressed enough – the way to minimize melanoma mortality is to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays, to carefully perform monthly self-skin examinations and to obtain a skin cancer screening annually,” noted Dr. Saad.
South Shore Skin Center and Spa tips for preventing skin cancer:
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
Use ample amounts of sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 every day, even if it is cloudy.
Wear protective clothing and large framed or wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eye area.
Have your skin checked by a dermatologist regularly.
Note any moles or other spots on the skin that have changed. Have them checked by a physician as soon as possible.
For concerns about the skin, contact South Shore Skin Center and Spa’s Plymouth
(508) 747-0711 or Cohasset (781) 383-3340 dermatology office.
About South Shore Skin Center and Spa
South Shore Skin Center and Spa is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services.
Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center and Spa is a unique team of physicians, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, surgical assistants, and licensed estheticians who are all specialists in dermatology and share a passion for excellence and a commitment to providing the highest level of care to both children and adults in the greater Boston area. In addition to the medical dermatology office and Mohs Surgical Unit for skin cancer, South Shore Skin Center and Spa offers cosmetic dermatology treatments for wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, birthmarks, hair removal, tattoos and more using the Fraxel re:store DUAL and Fraxel re:pair lasers, DEKA SmartXide DOT, Candela VBeam, Gentlelase, Gentle YAG, and Alex lasers. The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and other wrinkle fillers; volumizers such as Radiesse and Sculptra; microdermabrasion; medical grade facials, micropeels and chemical peels.
South Shore Skin Center and Spa is located at One Scobee Circle, Unit 3, in Plymouth, Mass. (508) 747-0711 and at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202, in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340. For more information, visit the website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.
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