Page 28 - May 2020 Web.indd

Tips, Classes and
Programs to help

ealth orner
you live healthier!
H C
These seldom become life threatening. Recognize Melanoma. Know your

ABCDEs!
(3) Melanoma is less common but a
more serious cancer. It is responsible for A: Asymmetry. One half of a mole
more than 75% of skin cancer deaths. In doesn’t look like the other.
May is Melanoma Maryland, the highest melanoma rates
Awareness Month are on the Eastern and Western shores B: Border. Irregular edges to a mole,
not defi ned.

of The Chesapeake Bay and Central
Submitted by Leigh Marquess, RN, Maryland counties. When diagnosed C: Color. Different colors appear in

Director for Wellness Promotions at the early, melanoma can be cured! It is also the same mole.
Caroline County Health Department. the most preventable type of cancer.

D: Diameter. The mole is larger then

This is a challenging time with the Everyone has some risk for developing the end of a pencil eraser.
COVID-19 virus present in all our skin cancer, some more than others.
communities. With all our social Th ese include: E: Elevated or Enlarged. Other
distancing, we can still get outside • Light skin that burns or freckles warning signs may be a sore that
and do many of our May activities easily. doesn’t heal, a spread of color from
including starting gardens and planting the border into neighboring skin, a
farmland, getting boats ready for • Naturally light hair, blonde, red change in sensation in a mole such as
summer crabbing and fi shing, working or light brown. itchiness, tenderness or pain, oozing
on outside projects around the house, • Light colored eyes, blue, green or bleeding from a mole, a brown or
and playing with our kids in the yard or grey. black spot underneath a nail.
or driveway. Don’t forget to take care of
• Family history of skin cancer. How to protect your skin from the
your skin when outside! Now and truly sun:
all year round, it is important to build • A history of sunburns as a child.
safe sun habits into your family’s daily One or two blistering sunburns • Avoid direct sun when it is
routine to prevent sun damage and as a child doubles a person’s strongest, 10 AM - 4 PM.
potential skin cancer. chance of developing melanoma • Encourage your children to play
later in life. in the shade.
Skin cancer is the most common type
of cancer with more cases diagnosed • Tanning bed use. • Wear protective clothing such
each year than all other cancers as a wide-brimmed hat, long
Dark-skinned people are more likely to
combined! There are three main types sleeve shirt and UV protection

get melanoma on palms of hands, soles
of skin cancer. Most are either (1) Basal sunglasses.
of feet, nail beds and lips.
cell or (2) Squamous cell carcinoma.
• Use 30 SPF UVA/UVB
sunscreen. Keep an extra small
bottle in your car, purse and kids
backpack.
Joseph H. McCarthy, D.D.S., P.A.
• Avoid tanning beds.
FAMILY DENTAL CARE • Check your skin thoroughly once
a month. Get to know your skin
Accepting New Patients and your own pattern of moles,
freckles and birthmarks. Have
someone else check your back
and scalp, places that may be
Evening & Saturday Appointments Available
hard for you to see.
410-482-2242 Call your doctor if you find any new

or changing skin growths. Taking these
13155 Greensboro Rd - Greensboro, MD steps will significantly reduce your

chances of developing skin cancer

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