While you get ready for sunny weather and beach trips this year, you should be aware that May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Skin cancer is a very serious and very treatable ailment and the folks at Stamford's Long Ridge Dermatology want to keep you safe while you enjoy the sun.
At Long Ridge Dermatology at 1051 Long Ridge Road, they treat everything from medical issues to cosmetic concerns relating to skin issues. They treat the whole gamut, from skin cancer to acne to warts to psoriasis, they can diagnose and treat issues on-site. Long Ridge Dermatology Physician's Assistant Deirdre Cannon sat down with Patch to talk awareness and treatment.
"Sun protection is very important," Cannon said. "Melanoma is the worst type of skin cancer you can get, but it is 100-percent curable if it's caught early. Detection is key, and that's why we suggest full skin exams at least yearly."
She said sunscreen of at least SPF-30 should be your go-to, application at least 20 minutes prior to exposure, reapply throughout the day and try to avoid the sun between the peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"You want to make sure you get broad-spectrum sunscreen that cover's both UVA and UVB sun rays," Cannon said, and stressed reapplication is key even with higher-numbered sunscreens. "You're swimming, you're sweating, you're toweling off."
She also said sunglasses with UV protection are important as you can contract ocular melanoma without the proper protection, and pointed out skin cancer on the ear is particularly common in men because, when wearing a baseball cap, the ears aren't protected.
She said Long Ridge Dermatology is a one-stop shop for all your skin care needs and have three doctors on staff; Rena Fortier, MD, Donald Savitz, MD, and Michael Jacobson, MB, who is a MOHS, or chemosurgery, surgeon.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
