Health Promotion Recommendations

Cancer Prevention

You should examine your skin regularly to be sure that you have no abnormal moles or other lesions. We do a lot of dermatology work and can take care of 90% of your skin problems and moles. Abnormal moles have one or more of the following danger signs:

1. Asymmetry - If you were to fold the mole on itself, it should match.
2. Border Irregular - The border should be smooth and distinct.
3. Color variation
4. Diameter larger than 6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser)
5. Crusting or oozing
6. Changing moles - Change in size or color
7. A new mole in a person over 40 years old
8. Enlarging or elevating moles
9. A family history of melanoma is also a risk factor

If you have lesions on your skin that concern you, please make an appointment to have them evaluated by us. We can take care of 90% of these skin problems. For the other 10%, we will refer you to the appropriate dermatologist.

Know the warning signs of cancer. They are:

1. Lump or thickening in the breast or any other part of the body
2. Change in a wart or mole
3. Indigestion or trouble swallowing
4. A change in bowel or bladder habits
5. Any unusual bleeding or discharge
6. Nagging, persistent cough or hoarseness
7. A sore that does not heal
8. Unexplained changes in weight

Do your self-exams. Women should do monthly self-breast exams. Men should do monthly testicle exams from age 15-40. Both sexes should do monthly self-skin exams.

You must stay up-to-date on screening for cancer of the colon and rectum. Approximately 30% of people over 50 have colon polyps and 30% of these may silently progress to colon cancer. Removing these polyps prevents the cancer. Colon cancer is often a silent disease, and it has a high death rate. It is extremely preventable if the proper, regular screening tests are done. You must stay up-to-date with these screening procedures, even if they are distasteful. After the age of 45, you should have a yearly laboratory stool examination by a mail-in stool card. The small specimen smears that you send to us are tested for microscopic blood. Some patients do not return their stool cards. This is a very important test. Please do it.

You should have your colon evaluated by a scope procedure every 3-10 years, beginning at age 50. (This should begin at age 40 if you have a parent, brother or sister with colon cancer or colon polyps). If you have colon polyps or colon cancer, you should tell your children and your brothers and sisters so that they can be properly screened. The fact that you have these problems marks these relatives as increased risk.

Wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) when you are outside frequently or for long periods. Avoid sunburns. This is especially important if you have red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes, fair skin and freckles, or skin which tends to burn easily. The sunscreen should protect against UVA and UVB sunrays.