– Margaret Kontras Sutton, M.D.
I pray that none of you will ever receive that phone call. That phone call where your doctor is at the other end of the phone and says “You have cancer.” Unfortunately, as a physician I have had to make some phone calls like that and I can only imagine how devastating it must be to be on the other end. For that moment the world stands still and life forever will be different.
That is why we here at Sutton Ryan Dermatology and Aesthetic Center have a mission to educate our patients and the public about the importance of prevention and early detection of skin cancer. We pride ourselves on performing thorough skin checks and detecting suspicious lesions. Any suspicious growths are thoroughly evaluated and if necessary appropriately and promptly treated.
Some sobering facts from the Skin Cancer Foundation:
-Melanoma is the most common form of cancer in individuals ages 25-29.
-It is the second most common form of cancer in those who are ages 15-29.
-Of the seven most common cancers, melanoma is the only one which has an increasing incidence.
– 1 in 50 individuals will be diagnosed with melanoma during their lifetime
WHY IS PREVENTION IMPORTANT?
Because with 5 or more sunburns during one’s youth, the lifetime incidence of melanoma increases by 80%.
WHY IS EARLY DETECTION IMPORTANT?
Because 5 year survival before any spread is 98%. However with lymph node spread that survival decreases to 63% and with distant spread that survival decreases to 16%.
Please check out our blog post from April 8th, 2015 on the ABCDs of moles and do a self exam today! If you are at all uncertain about any of your moles or if you haven’t had a thorough skin check please come see us.
AIM for Melanoma Walk/Fun Run
Some of you have had your life touched (or should I say hammered) by melanoma. Maybe you have had a loved one with melanoma, maybe a friend, or even maybe yourself. You know how scary and devastating that word “melanoma” can be.
Please be aware that there are others out there that are also affected. In fact there are many. On Saturday, May 31st there will be an event called AIM for Melanoma Walk/Fun Run which is a fundraiser for research to find a cure. But it is many things more than that. It is a way for many to gather to find strength in others who share the same fears or the same grief. It is a way to educate the public and to champion prevention. It is a way to show our support for those who have the will to survive and to triumph over this disease.
Below is a flyer with the important details regarding this event on May 31st, 2015 at Lake Zorinsky, Omaha, NE
For more information please visit: http://omaha2015.aimatmelanoma.org/
Sutton Ryan Dermatology and Aesthetic Center is proud to be a sponsor of this event.
AIM MELANOMA Participate Brochure 2015
