Sun Smarts: Skin Cancer Awareness

The beautiful, sunny days of summer are enough to tempt anyone to spend time outdoors, but beware of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which play a significant role in developing skin cancer. Baylor’s health encyclopedia teaches you how to conduct monthly skin self-exams for early warning signs of skin cancer.  

How can sunshine contribute to skin cancer? The sun’s UVA and UVB rays are absorbed by our skin, which can damage skin cells and lead to the uncontrollable growth of cancer cells. Recently, researchers discovered that UVA rays, the dominant tanning ray, cause damage to deeper layers of our skin cells, where most cancers occur. UVB rays are believed to cause premature skin aging and sunburn.

Skin cancer is often classified into two groups, non-melanoma and melanoma. Non-melanoma includes basal cell and squamous cell, the most common types of skin cancers.  Melanomas are the least common and the most dangerous types. Symptoms of skin cancer may include new bumps or lesions on the skin or irregularly-shaped moles or skin growths.

Protect yourself by following these steps:

• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
• Cover up! UV rays can penetrate light or see-through clothing.
• Wear a hat to protect your scalp.
• Choose sunglasses that block UV rays.
• Limit sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Avoid tanning lamps.

If you see a suspicious spot during your skin self-exams, contact your physician for a skin screening. Your physician may want to conduct a biopsy to detect cancerous cells.  Search for a physician who specializes in dermatology online or by calling 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Sources:

Skin Cancer Foundation

American Cancer Society

Centers for Disease Control

Build a Strong Foundation against Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a common disease, affecting an estimated 10 million men and women in the United States. Despite its prevalence, many are unaware they have lost bone mass until they suffer fractures and broken bones more easily and frequently. Baylor’s imaging centers offer bone density screenings and other tests for the early detection of this silent disease.

Osteoporosis is four times more common in women than in men, however screenings are recommended for everyone. Women should be routinely screened after age 50, men after age 65.  The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends taking the following preventative steps:

• Get the recommended 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 800 milligrams of vitamin D
• Engage in regular weight-bearing and balance exercises (such as yoga, weight machines and rowing machines or walking)
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
• Talk to your physician and get regular bone density screenings (every one to two years)

For a referral to a physician on the medical staff at Baylor, search online or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Sources:

National Osteoporosis Foundation

Signs of a Stroke

A stroke is defined as an interruption in the blood supply to the brain, caused by either a blood clot or leak in a blood vessel. Baylor offers comprehensive programs to help individuals recover from a stroke.

It’s estimated that someone in the United States suffers from a stroke every 45 seconds. Strokes can be mild or very severe, depending on the location of the obstruction or the amount of damage done to the brain tissue. Depending on the severity of the stroke, a person may need physical or occupational therapy to recover.

Strokes are a medical emergency, and immediate treatment is needed to reduce the amount of damage to brain tissue. The sudden occurrence of one or more of the following symptoms could indicate a stroke:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
• Confusion or loss of speech
• Vision loss or blurriness
• Loss of coordination or dizziness
• Severe headache with no known cause

Although strokes are sudden, there are risk factors and preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk.  Learn about your risk by taking our online stroke assessment. To find a physician, search online or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Sources:

American Stroke Association

Centers for Disease Control

Get the Sleep You Need

If you toss and turn every night, wake frequently to the sound of your partner’s snore or feel extremely tired all of the time, you or your loved one may have a sleeping disorder. Baylor’s sleep centers can help to diagnose what’s keeping you up at night.

Sleep is an essential requirement of life. Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep, though many do not stick to this recommendation.  Maintaining a consistent and sufficient sleep schedule allows a person to be clear-headed, energized and refreshed.  Lack of sleep can lead to irritability, lack of concentration and poor overall health. Researchers are now linking insufficient sleep to the development of medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, depression and obesity. 

Coincidentally, many sleep disorders can also result from depression, diabetes and obesity. The most common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome, which affect an estimated 70 million Americans.

Try following these guidelines before bed:

• Avoid caffeine and nicotine close to bedtime.
• Avoid alcohol as it can lead to disrupted sleep.
• Exercise regularly, but complete your workout at least 3 hours before bedtime.
• Establish a regular relaxing, not alerting, bedtime routine
• Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet and preferably cool and comfortable.

If you are still having difficulties sleeping or feel excessively tired during inappropriate times throughout the day, consult your physician to schedule a sleep study.  To find a physician on the medical staff at Baylor, search online or call 1.800.4BAYLOR.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control

National Sleep Foundation

EveryMan™ Matters

The Baylor Foundation’s EveryMan™ event is the first event of its kind in North Texas-raising funds for prostate cancer research, community outreach and expanded technology throughout the Baylor Health Care System.

EveryMan™ serves as a community reminder that we can no longer keep men’s health issues in the background. Baylor Health Care System aims to be a leader in prostate cancer awareness and prevention.

The 2009 dinner will feature Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor and presidential candidate. Giuliani's father died of prostate cancer in 1981, and Giuliani himself was diagnosed and successfully treated for the disease in 2000.

The event will be held Wednesday, May 13, at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, and ticket and sponsorship opportunities are now available. To learn more about the EveryMan™ dinner or to secure tickets, please e-mail us or call 214.820.2681.