Vim & Vigor - Winter 2010 - North Mississippi - (Page 39)

sleeves daily, drives with the top down only at night and works out indoors. “Enjoy the sun, but cautiously,” Valentine says. “Really look at the amount of time you’re spending outdoors and in direct sunlight.” EXPERT ADVICE: Marmur recommends wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 60 during the summer. You can opt for SPF 15 in the winter, but if you’re at a high altitude, stick with 30 to 60. And reapply every one to two hours. If you are monitoring multiple spots, Marmur suggests taking photos to track their changes. LILYVANIA MIKULSKI, AGE 30 FAMILY HISTORY: No family history of skin cancer LIKELY CULPRIT: Excessive sun exposure and tanning without protection HER STORY: When Mikulski went to a dermatologist in 2005, she wanted a mole on her right arm removed. Her doctor suggested testing the mole for cancer. Mikulski wasn’t worried. “I didn’t even think about it,” she says. Three weeks later, her doctor called: It was melanoma. Mikulski returned to the doctor, who removed the area around the mole to learn if the cancer had spread. Fortunately, it hadn’t. Mikulski, who has olive skin and doesn’t burn, was born in Nicaragua and grew up in Miami. “We would always be at the beach,” she says. And when she was in high school, she played water polo and was on the dance squad, activities that required outdoor practices. Yet, Mikulski didn’t always wear sunblock. Today, she takes the time to apply sunscreen and sees her dermatologist for annual screenings. LESSONS LEARNED: Mikulski says she’s taking simple steps to save her life, like avoiding the sun when it’s harshest. “The most important thing is that you can prevent skin cancer. Knowing that, it’s as easy as putting on a lotion and wearing a hat,” she says. EXPERT ADVICE: “It’s not well understood that all skin color types are prone to skin cancer,” Marmur says. Those with fair skin may be at higher risk, but “I do hundreds of surgeries a year on people with medium to dark skin,” she says. The key to skin cancer detect ion is watch ing for change s. “It’s import ant to loo k at the skin once a month —to know wh at you have on your skin ,” says Edward Hill , M.D., hos t of North Mississ ippi Medic al Center ’s Sixty Second Hou secall seg me nts on WT VA . “I call it ‘tak ing inv entory.’” Here are the danger signs to loo k for in your moles or dark spots: As ym me try : One half isn’t like the other. Borde r: It has an irregular or poorly defined border. Co lor : The spot has various sha des of tan, brown or black, or is white, red or blue. Diame ter : Melanomas are ofte n larger than a quarter inch across, though the y can be smaller. Evo lving: It looks different fro m other moles or lesions on the skin or is cha nging in size, shape or color. “‘E’ is the latest additio n,” Hill says. “To me, it’s the most important.” By noticing changes in your skin early, you can hel p prevent skin cancer from spreading. Source: American Academy of Der matolog y The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer CALL Call NMMC’s free physician referral service at 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375) to locate a physician who meets your healthcare needs. Vim & Vigor · WI NTER 2010 Find a Doctor Who Is Right for You 39

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2010 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2010 - North Mississippi
Table of Contents
Opening Thoughts
Lives Renewed
Hands-On Approach
Smart Moves
Miss Information
Stroke Sense
Gut Feelings
On the Cover - The Story on Stress
The Faces of Skin Cancer
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
A Natural Dilemma
17 Reasons to Work in Healthcare
Aerobics Roundup
Make a Splash
It’s a Great Place to Work
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2010 - North Mississippi