May is Melanoma
Awareness Month
“There is nothing more important to me
as a physician than your cancer treatment.
I’ve been in practice for over two
decades and have had the privilege of
telling many patients that there is life
beyond cancer. As president of The Center
for Cancer and Blood Disorders, I want to
lead by example, practicing a firm belief
that all patients should receive the finest
medical care available, with the same
concern and compassion as a cherished
member of the family.”
Ray Page, D.O., Ph.D.
President and Medical Oncologist
The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Planning fun in the sun this summer?
Protection, protection, protection!!!!
Let’s minimize our risk of skin cancer!
How fantastic to live in God’s country – Texas! Our Texas sun is so
glorious, but it can be deadly also.
Years of unprotected sun exposure can substantially increase our
risk of developing skin cancers. Very commonly as we get older we
can develop less aggressive skin cancers, such as squamous cell and
basal cell cancers. These can often be removed by your primary care
physician, a dermatologist, and sometimes more complex cases by a
plastic surgeon.
Melanoma, however, is a much more serious skin cancer that if not
detected and taken care of early can be deadly. In the U.S. a person
dies from melanoma every hour. I unfortunately see it striking a lot of
folks in the prime of their lives.
Melanoma typically arises from pigmented moles and skin lesions. It
is much more common in fair skinned whites with freckles, light hair,
and who burn easily. If you have a family member with melanoma,
your personal risk is higher.
Alarmingly, young women under the age of 40 are hit hardest in the
rising incidence of melanoma. Voluntary exposure to artificial sun
lamps in tanning salons may be a prime culprit. Ultraviolet (UV)
radiation is a major risk factor for most melanomas causing DNA
damage in the skin. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays.
Tanning lamps and beds are also sources of UV rays. People who get
a lot of exposure to light from these sources are at greater risk for skin
cancer, including melanoma. Based on what we know today, there are
no safe UV rays.
As you enjoy the Texas sun this summer slather on that sunscreen!!!
Schedule appointments by calling
817-596-0637 or online at
www.thecentertx.com
Support services provided by:
To learn more about cancer care issues or to consult with a physician
about a cancer diagnosis, contact us at 817.596.0637.
The ABCDE rule is a guide to the usual signs of melanoma. Be on the
lookout and tell your doctor about spots that have any of the following features:
•A is for Asymmetry: One half of a mole or birthmark does not
match the other.
•B is for Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or
blurred.
•C is for Color: The color is not the same all over and may include
shades of brown or black, or sometimes with patches of pink, red,
white, or blue.
•D is for Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across
(about ¼ inch – the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can
sometimes be smaller than this.
•E is for Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
I cannot stress enough how aggressive and deadly melanoma can be.
Show changing skin lesions to your doctor.
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